Civil War monument to be restored in New Philadelphia

As work progresses on a $2.9 million project to renovate the three city-owned quadrants in the downtown square, commissioners have approved funding to restore the historic Civil War monument in front of the courthouse.

On May 13, commissioners approved a quote for $23,290 from Coon Restoration & Sealants Inc. of Louisville for repairs to the Kaldenbaugh Civil War monument, which is named for New Philadelphia Civil War veteran Henry Kaldenbaugh.

The price includes pressure washing the monument before any work; cutting out the mortar and sealant and installing new sealant; fixing hairline cracks in the granite by grinding out the cracks and patching using a historical patch; and light cleaning of the monument after the work is completed.

“It’s a piece of history, so we feel that we need to restore it and maintain it, or it won’t be standing,” said Commissioner Mitch Pace.

Commissioners expect the work to begin sometime this year.

“We did have a company come in and clean all the monuments [in front of the courthouse],” he said. “We’re planning on some other potential updates to the courthouse quadrant, not quite as extensive as the city, but we want to clean it up and keep the history with it.”

Commissioner Greg Ress said commissioners felt obligated to make the improvements with the city restoring its quadrants. “We should probably do some updating and cleanup.”

“It being America’s 250th birthday, I think it’s important that we celebrate it by cleaning up some of the history that we have here in the courthouse quadrant,” Pace said.

The work being done by the city of New Philadelphia is being paid for with a grant from the Appalachian Community Grant Program.

The Civil War monument was erected in 1887 with funds provided by Kaldenbaugh in his estate. He died in 1886. Kaldenbaugh was a banker who served in the 51st Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the war, reaching the rank of major.

William McKinley, then a member of Congress, made the presentation address when the monument was dedicated on May 19, 1887.

The monument is about 25 feet tall, topped by a statue of a Union soldier resting on his rifle.