To spot the Firemen’s Monument, just look up toward the tall granite pedestal above the trees-you’ll see a heroic mustached firefighter holding a small child in one arm and a lantern in the other.
Here you are, standing in the west end of Church Square Park, and before you rises Hoboken’s brave sentinel: the Firemen’s Monument! At 28 feet tall, it sure isn’t trying to hide; almost like it’s ready to call out, “Hey, kid, don’t play with matches!” Picture this moment: It’s 1891, the air smells of burning wood stoves, horse hooves clop on the cobbles, and the city is buzzing-because today, the townspeople gather to honor their local heroes, the volunteer firemen, whose wild dashes and daring rescues are the stuff of legend. Suddenly, the crowd quiets down to unveil this statue.
Sculpted by Caspar Buberl, who had a knack for turning ordinary zinc and bronze into stories, this monument was meant to do something huge: commemorate the end of Hoboken’s volunteer firefighters, as firefighting became a paid profession that very year. Imagine the mixed feelings-a little sadness, a little pride, and a whole lot of mustache envy. The pedestal below holds the tools of the trade: a ladder, poles, hose-just in case the statue needed to rush off at a moment’s notice!
Take a closer look at our firefighter’s pose-lantern out, child safe in his arm, mustache sturdier than a firepole. Some say this statue was modeled after the comforting pose of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus, only with a helmet and, of course, a “ready-for-anything” look. Did you notice the inscription? “Erected by the citizens of Hoboken, N.J., in honor of the Volunteer Fire Dept. May 30th, 1891.” This statue has watched generations wander by, and every year, guides start their historic Hoboken tours here. After September 11th, with the heroism of firefighters in everyone’s heart, people gave these monuments a whole new kind of respect.
So take a moment-maybe salute back. This is where Hoboken’s courage stands tall!
