Forgotten Reminder: WWI Memorial Steps Away from the Beach

The World War I Memorial, constructed in 1922, stands as a relic of a time when Atlantic City, New Jersey, bore witness to the sacrifices of local soldiers during wartime. Situated just a short stroll from the boardwalk and sandy beaches, it's one of the few surviving relics of a distant conflict you can stumble upon while grabbing a summer ice cream. But what's inside?

The rotunda towers at eight meters high, and it's easy to envision the tumult of war at the top. The statue there, 'Liberty in Distress,' was cleverly carved by Frederick W. MacMonnies. It stands 9 feet tall, circled by four large bronze medallions adorning the rotunda, each depicting a different branch of service from the Great War: Army, Navy, Marines, and Aviation. It's rather fitting when you reach the architrave, as you see those forces are not alone – the names of the battles in Atlantic County where soldiers lost their lives are inscribed in bold, capital letters.

Approved by the National Register of Historic Places since 1981, this isn't a museum or a tourist attraction. Instead, it's a forgotten monument off the beaten path, one that is still – thankfully – tangible for those curious enough to wander by it.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons