Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn

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Meant as a grand entrance to Prospect Park, the Arch was designed by John H. Duncan (he later went on to design Grant’s Tomb in NYC) after being choosen by two experts appointed by the Soldiers and Sailors Monument Commission from thrity-six entries.

He proposed a free standing memorial arch of classical style something similar to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

There are reliefs sculpted by William Rudolph located inside the arch of Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant. The two horses were sculpted by Thomas Eakins. The Quadriga, The Spirit of the Army and the Spirit of the Navy is located on the top of the Arch. It depicts the lady Columbia, an allegorical representation of the United States. She is riding in a chariot with two horses. There are two winged Vicotry figures each leading a horse trumpeting Columbia's arrival.

The lower pedestals which face the park hold the Spirit of the Army group and the Spirit of the Navy group.

I have some very fond memories of this Arch, and they are of my mother. Whenever she had time she would rise super early (even earlier than usual) and take a jog along the park from our home (we lived on 12th Street) to the Arch and then back home. She'd tell me that she enjoyed the peace and serenity she got from her jogs.

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Make sure to stop at the arch in grand army plaza. Its the entryway to Prospect Park. Its large, grand and a must see if you are near prospect park. On Saturdays there is an open market with fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products and more (8 am to 4 pm)! Make sure to see the fountain too!

Made to resemble Arc de Triomphe in Paris this is bootylicious. Prospect Parks Grand Entryway.