Firemen’s Monument

Location: Section 34

Arthur B. Hewett was the sculptor of this impressive monument decorating the Worcester Fire Department lot which was dedicated in 1896 with great public fanfare. The subject is Simon E. Coombs, member of the fire department for forty-three years beginning in 1848, and its chief from 1872 to 1891. Coombs' obituary described him as "cool, possessed excellent judgment, and the large fires...were handled in a most efficient manner.” Notice that the figure of Chief Coombs is leaning against a fire hydrant and he is carrying a speaking trumpet in his left arm. The edge on the base of the monument is carved to represent a fire hose.