Photographs of monument and bridge views, 1925-1930

              Series SA 1031 AV
Ohio Battle Monuments Commission
Photographs of Monument and Bridge
Page 1
OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
State Archives Record Series
SA Series 1031 AV
37th Division Battle Monument Commission
Photographs of Monument and Bridge Views
OVERVIEW OF THE SERIES
Series Number: SA Series 1031 AV
Creating Agency: 37th Division Battle Monument Commission
Series Title: Photographs of Monument and Bridge Views
Dates of Series: 1928-1931
Media: Black and White Photographs, Glass Plate Negatives
Quantity: 1.0 Cubic Feet
Location: Ohio Historical Society
AGENCY BACKGROUND
The 37th Division was part of the Ohio National Guard. After training at Camp Sheridan
in Montgomery, Alabama the unit was drafted into federal service on August 5, 1917.
The division arrived in Europe in June 1918 and, after intensive training, drove through
the Baccarat and Avocourt sectors to participate in the Meuse-Argonne Operation. They
captured Montfaucon, a German stronghold. From there they heavily defended the
Schedlt (Escaut) River in Belgium. The division earned a reputation as a tough fighting
unit which was best summed up by General Von Runstedt of the German Imperial Staff
after the Armistice who said, “The 37th Division was one of the five most feared American
divisions.” The Division returned to the United States in 1919.
In 1925, with the authority of the Ohio Senate Bill no. 99, the 37th Division Battle
Monument Commission was appointed. This seven man commission was to select four
sites – one in the Meuse-Argonne area, one in Belgium, and two others at their
discretion – for the construction of monuments to honor the exploits of the famed 37th
Division in World War I. The commission was directed to report to the State Senate
every year and to spend no more than $10,000 in study of the project. This money was
appropriated from the general fund.
Under the direction of Capt. Laurence H. Norton, supervisor, and Gaston Levard of
Paris, consulting architect, the commission accepted competitive bids from French and
Belgian architects for the structures. It decided to build three monuments. The first, a
bridge to specially honor the infantry, is located at the Eyne, Belgium where it spans the