At the highest spot in all of Leeds with a commanding view of the western horizon sits a monument to peace.
The trail to the summit is a relatively easy hike along a well worn and marked trail with picnic tables placed in spots along the way to rest and relax at. There are also a couple of tables at the summit so feel free to bring a snack or light meal when you visit. As always though please carry out what you carry in as there aren’t any trash receptacles so we need to play our part in keeping this area clean and beautiful.
The monument at the summet was erected in 1895 to honor the peace that arrived after the end of the American Civil War (1861-1865) by a group of men including 2 brothers who acted upon the idea of the monument first envisioned by a third brother who didn’t live long enough to see it’s construction.
Reverend Rowland B. Howard first proposed erecting the monument and it was his brothers, General Oliver O. Howard and General Charles H. Howard that saw it through.
Oliver Otis Howard was the most accomplished of his brothers and much can be found online if you’d like to learn more about his life and accomplishments.
In short, was born in Leeds Maine in 1830 as the second of five children. During his childhood he often played with his brothers on what is now known as Monument hill. Oliver graduated from Bowdoin College in 1850 at the age of 19. He then attended the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1854, fourth in his class of 46 cadets, as a brevet second lieutenant of ordnance.
Oliver went on to fight in the American Civil War and had to have his right arm amputated after being shot twice in the battle of Seven Pines near Richmond Virginia on June 1, 1862.
For more information about Monument Hill and General Howard please be sure to check out the links below.
- The Oliver Otis Howard papers – a digitized collection of papers he wrote
- Leeds Historical Society page about Monument Hill
- Wikipedia page about Oliver Otis Howard
- Genealogy information about Oliver Howard on Familysearch.org