The Location: Past and Present

Fox Point has a legacy of being the “transportation hub” of Rhode Island. [4] Therefore the memorial’s location in Fox Point was intentional in hopes of amassing more viewers. Fox Point grew to have a large population as it initially industrialized to appeal to marine innovation. Throughout World War II, Rhode Island manufactured warships and military equipment. The rise in commerce is attributed to the Brown family merchants. [5]

The movement of the monument demonstrates how the town of Providence recognized the memorial as integral to the community and acknowledged its power in shaping the narrative surrounding the war. Not only was the memorial moved, but the Providence War Memorial Committee underwent a delay to await the return of World War II veterans. The choice to delay action regarding the Fox Point Veterans Memorial indicates that Rhode Island truly valued the input of veterans regarding the memorial. The most recent edition of the Providence Journal regarding the memorial states that the committee was likely “to create a functional or living memorial”; however a change in opinion must have occurred before the creation of the memorial. [6]

The memorial was previously located on an island at the overpass of 195 Wickenden Street. Given its remote location, it was not easily accessible to the public, which led to its movement to its current location, 501 S Water St. The memorial now faces the street surrounded by a flagpole with the American flag and the state flag of Rhode Island. Behind the memorial is open grass, similar to a park, facing the east end of Point Street Bridge. The sidewalk for pedestrians to enter the bridge runs alongside the memorial. While the memorial is more accessible to the public with its new location, I have never encountered anyone else interacting with it on my multiple outings.