BRONX SCENE
Woodrow Wilson Triangle War Memorial in Soundview
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BRONX TIMES REPORTER,BTR JANUARY 24-30, 2020 63
I always enjoyed wandering around
the Bronx with John McNamara. One
day, sometime after stopping to visit
with Artie Seifert on Clason Point, we
decided to check out a few odd place
names including Murray Court. After
walking through the court and looking
over the bungalows, he wanted to
take a break so we walked across the
street and stopped at Wilson Triangle
where I snapped this photograph. The
triangle is bounded by Soundview,
Underhill and Patterson Avenues and
was acquired by the City of New York
in October of 1912 through condemnation
proceedings when some streets
were being laid out in the area.
I was facing south when I took this
photograph and Soundview Avenue is
at the left and Underhill Avenue is at
the right shaded by a huge elm tree.
The war memorial, visible behind
John, is facing Soundview Avenue and
was commissioned by the residents of
Clason Point who raised $3500 to have
it created and installed. It honors the
neighborhood residents who lost their
lives in World War I and was sculpted
by James Novelli (1885-1940) in 1928,
one year after the triangle became
park land. Unfortunately, the advent
of World War II caused a decline in
commissions and led the sculptor into
the throes of depression. He hanged
himself at his home on May 31, 1940
leaving his wife and 16 year old son.
The bas relief bronze plaque he
created of the life-size female on
the memorial at Wilson Triangle is
seven feet high and is set on an eleven
foot monument of Deer Isle granite.
A bronze eagle with spread wings
adorns the top of the steel while the
dates 1917 and 1918 are carved at the
bottom of the memorial.
The wording at the top of the memorial
reads: Dedicated to those who
made the supreme sacrifi ce and to
all others from Clason Point who entered
the service of our country in the
World War. New York City, AD 1928.
Below that are quotations from four
United States presidents beginning
with Washington which reads: Let us
raise a standard to which the wise and
the honest can repair, the event is in
the hands of God. The next quote is
from Lincoln who wrote: That government
of the people by the people and
for the people shall not perish from
the earth. William McKinley is next
and says: No imperial designs lurk in
the American mind. They are alien to
American sentiment, thought and purpose.
The fi nal quote is from Woodrow
Wilson himself and simply states: That
the world may be safe for democracy.
Wilson was our 28th president
serving from 1913 to 1921 and was
actively involved with the armistice
as well as the creation of the League
of Nations. He was awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize in 1919 for his efforts
in helping to create a lasting peace.
Thus he was a natural choice for the
naming of a park in his honor and for
having the World War I memorial installed
thereat.
He had passed away in 1924 so was
still very much in mind when this
park was created. Now that you know
how and why the park was created,
think if him the next time you pass
that way.
John McNamara stopped to rest at Wilson Triangle after a day of hiking around Clason Point.
The war memorial behind him faces toward Soundview Avenue and was installed in 1928.
The big elm tree at the right faces Underhill Avenue and Patterson Avenue would be in the
background connecting both avenues. I took the photo on February 21, 1998.
Jeanne Jugan Residence
seeks needed donations
Consider donating new gift items
to Jeanne Jugan Residence, located
at 2999 Schurz Avenue. These items
can be sold annually in their gift
shop and Christmas Bazaar.
They have a special need for
brand new toys. Other items include
costume jewelry, gift sets, electronic
items, specialty items, new
tagged clothing, accessories and
collectibles.
The residence is unable to take
VHS, used dish sets, loose glassware/
vases, books or used bedding
of any kind.
If you have a question concerning
a donation, contact Joanne at
(347) 329-1800.
Drop off week days if possible.
Make sure donations are securely
packaged and labeled Gift Shop/
Joanne.
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