Description of Historic Place

The Sons of Martha Monument is a cement monument with plaques that commemorates the construction of the Grand Falls hydroelectric project. It is located in O. B. Davis Park on the west bank of the Saint John River, along the trail known as Lovers Lane.

Heritage Value

The Sons of Martha Monument is designated a Local Historic Place for its association with the construction of the hydroelectric project, which took place between 1926 and 1928.

The monument pays tribute to the work and efforts of all those who participated in the hydroelectric project in Grand Falls, especially those who died during the construction of the dam. The monument was erected by Henry McLean, the president of Dominion Construction Co., one of the construction firms involved in the project. The monument exhibits plaques with excerpts from the poem “The Sons of Martha” by Rudyard Kipling. This poem is an homage to unsung labourers who work selflessly for the benefit of others.

Source: Town of Grand Falls, Historic Places file no. 05

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe the Sons of Martha Monument include:
- cement structure that constitutes the monument;
- plaques affixed to the monument bearing excerpts from the poem “The Sons of Martha” by Rudyard Kipling.