Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia, a city once favored by President William McKinley, moved quickly to honor the late leader following his tragic assassination in 1901. McKinley, the 25th president of the United States, had often spoken warmly of the city, once declaring, “There is no city I like to visit more than Philadelphia.”

Story Highlights

• President William McKinley favored Philadelphia, calling it “his favorite city to visit.”

• The Inquirer led the effort to establish a memorial after McKinley’s 1901 assassination.

• The newspaper pledged $1,000, and city fundraising brought the total to $44,000 (nearly $1.4 million today).

• The nine-foot bronze McKinley monument in Philadelphia was unveiled on June 6, 1908.

• The statue stands on the south side of Philadelphia City Hall, not in Fairmount Park as originally planned.

Just days after the president became the third U.S. leader to be assassinated in office, Philadelphia’s leading newspaper, The Inquirer, took the initiative to create a lasting memorial. On September 17, 1901, the newspaper ran a front-page editorial with the headline: “Let a Monument To McKinley Rise in Philadelphia.”

The editorial emphasized Philadelphia’s significance, calling it “the most representative American city” and noting that it was fitting “that a shaft of enduring granite or marble should be reared to commemorate the life and rulership and martyr-like death of the President.”

James Elverson, the British-born owner and publisher of The Inquirer, had described the newspaper as “steadily and vigorously Republican in its political policy,” reflecting the paper’s alignment with McKinley’s party. The editorial went on to urge fellow newspapers, including The Public Ledger, as well as the city and local banks, to join in the campaign to fund the monument.

The following day, September 18, 1901, The Inquirer pledged its own support, announcing it would contribute $1,000 to the memorial fund. In today’s terms, this donation would equal roughly $40,000. The editorial noted, “He loved Philadelphia. He had good reason.”

The fundraising campaign quickly gained momentum. Citizens across the city contributed about $12,000 (nearly $400,000 today), while a separate monument committee raised an additional $32,000 from businesses and other donors. The collective effort demonstrated the city’s admiration for McKinley and its determination to honor his memory with a prominent landmark.

The resulting McKinley monument in Philadelphia is a nine-foot bronze likeness of the fallen president, carefully sculpted to capture even his deepest features. While initially planned for Fairmount Park, the monument was ultimately placed on the south side of Philadelphia City Hall. It was officially unveiled on June 6, 1908, where it still stands as a testament to both McKinley’s legacy and the city’s commitment to preserving history.

Philadelphia’s McKinley monument remains a symbol of civic pride, connecting past and present and reminding residents and visitors alike of the city’s historical role in honoring national leaders.

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