Saratoga Battle Monument 155-ft obelisk

Victory, New York, United States

Landmarks and monuments

✓

Current

Listed, not yet checked · Oct 2026

This Big Thing is recorded as still being here.

The Saratoga Monument is a rock-faced granite obelisk that the National Park Service gives as 154½ feet tall, in Victory, New York, built to commemorate the British surrender at Saratoga on 17 October 1777. It stands on a bluff above the Hudson Valley and is managed by Saratoga National Historical Park.

Private to your Passport.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

No recommended arrival yet

We have not checked a recommended place to arrive or stop here yet.

This takes you to the Big Thing itself. If stopping, choose a safe and legal place nearby.

Saratoga Battle Monument 155-ft obelisk

This pin marks the Big Thing itself. If stopping, choose a safe and legal place nearby.

Site-level location · 43.0986° N, 73.5942° W

FIELD GUIDE

The story

Three bronze figures and one empty niche: the Saratoga Monument commemorates the 1777 surrender of a British army.

The obelisk stands on a high bluff above the Hudson Valley in the village of Victory, on the grounds of General Burgoyne's last camp. The National Park Service gives its height as 154½ feet and describes Gothic and Egyptian elements in its design. Inside, 188 steps connect five levels and a viewing platform, and 16 bronze bas-relief plaques on the walls show scenes from the American Revolution.

A group of local residents formed the Saratoga Monument Association in 1856; it was revived in 1872 to mark the centennial of Burgoyne's surrender. Jared C. Markham was the architect and the Booth Brothers of New York City the builders. The cornerstone was laid on 17 October 1877, the capstone placed on 3 November 1882 and the bronze statues finished in 1887. Private donations raised only $2,300; the Park Service says most of the money came from the federal government ($95,000) and New York State ($10,000). The state took over the monument in 1895, and it was officially dedicated on 17 October 1912. The Park Service took it over in May 1980.

In the niches, Philip Schuyler faces east, Daniel Morgan west and Horatio Gates north. The southern niche is empty; the Park Service says it signifies Benedict Arnold's heroism in 1777 being overshadowed by his later treachery.

Water has damaged the stonework since the early days, and the monument has been closed repeatedly for repairs, including from 1987 until a $3 million rehabilitation reopened it in 2002. The Park Service lists it as closed for the 2026 season, with the grounds open from sunrise to sunset; the climb is worth checking on before a trip.

Add a photo

PRACTICAL

Plan your stop

WHAT TO EXPECT

The obelisk is visible from the grounds, which the National Park Service lists as open sunrise to sunset. The stair climb (188 steps) to the viewing platform is closed for the 2026 season. The park charges no entrance fee. Phone the park information desk before travelling.

ACCESS

On the grounds of Saratoga National Historical Park in Victory, New York; the grounds are open sunrise to sunset. The interior and viewing platform are closed for 2026. The park information desk is 518-670-2985, daily 9am to 5pm.

COMMUNITY