Burlington City Monuments

Statue of Mercury

Location: At 427 High Street in front of the Burlington City Post Office.

Significance - This cast iron statue was erected in 1881 and served as the centerpiece of the Birch Opera House which was located on the site of the present Post Office. The figure is believed to have been cast in England as a copy of a 16th C. work by Flemish sculptor Jean Boulogne. Now resplendent in gold leaf, it stands atop a base inscribed "BIRCH 1881" for the year it was placed at the Opera House.

Directions: High Street is the main commercial thoroufare of the City of Burlington. It is accessed primarily from Route 130. There is a Light Rail stop at the corner of West Broad St. and High St., not far from the location of this monument.

Shield Mooring Monument

Location: On the Riverbank (Delaware Street) between Talbot and Wood Streets. The grey structure in the background is the truncated V.F.W. building occupying the eighteenth century location of Green Bank Mansion, home of Royal Governor William Franklin, Tory son of patriot Benjamin Franklin.

Significance - On this site, the ship "Shield" came to Burlington and tied up to a large buttonwood tree on December 10, 1678. The "Shield" was the second ship to bring the Quaker settlers to the area. In 1677 The "Kent" had brought the first group of Quakers to the area, but did not venture all the way up to Burlington. The passengers disembarked downstream and made their way to Burlington by small boats or on foot. The story is told that the Captain of the "Shield" risked taking his ship all the way to Burlington. However, he was unable to get the ship close enough to the shore for the passengers to disembark comfortably. Something of a miracle occurred on the evening of December 10 when the Delaware froze because of the frigid temperatures, and the passengers were able to walk to shore on the ice. The initial colonization of Burlington by Quakers was complemented with the subsequent arrival of two other ships from England: The "Willing Mynde" and the Fly Boat "Martha".

There are two monuments and a memorial tree at the site. The fenced-in monument was erected by the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New Jersey on the 250th anniversary of the founding of Burlington in 1927. The plaque reads "To Commemorate the founding of Burlington in 1677 and the mooring of the Ship Shield near this spot in 1678". The smaller marker outside the fence reads: "1952 - Sycamore tree planted on the 275th anniversary of the founding of Burlington in 1677. Dedicated by the Burlington Kiwanis Club."

Directions: There is a parking area across from the monument on Delaware Street, which, however, is one way north. Thus, it is necessary to access Delaware St. via Talbot Street. If you approach on foot, you can take High Street to the parking area near the Bandstand and walk south along the promenade to the location of the monument.

Anchor Monument

Location: At the entrance to Waterfront Park and the Promenade at the end of High Street at the Delaware River.

Significance - This Anchor has no direct hitorical significance. It was salvaged from the Delaware River and there seems to be no connection to any particularly interesting ship. It is, however, appropriately placed and symbolizes the role of nautical navigation in the history of Burlington County. The relationship of Captain James Lawrence with the history of Burlington is another argument for its appropriateness. Recently, there were suggestions of removing it from the Promenade; however, it seems unlikely that this will happen because it has become a part of the landscape of the City of Burlington.

Directions: Take High Street to its end at the river front. Park in the lot in front of the Bandstand and proceed to the monument.

Veterans' Monument

Location: On the south side of High Street across from Belmont St. between the Wilbur Watts School and All Saints Catholic Church.

Significance - This is a classic memorial on the more massive scale than others in Burlington County. The centerpiece of the monument is the World War I soldier on the pedestal holding his rifle. The pillared structure in the background adds a degree of majesty to the scene. In the foreground are individual monuments representing the different wars in which Burlington citizens fought.

Directions: Entering High Street from Route 130, the monument will be on the left hand side in the lower part of High Street just after the Wilbur Watts School. Diagonally across the street you will see the Memorial Bell honoring Firefighters and the new City Hall at the western corner of Belmont St.