The Search for Missing Monuments

Don Thomas is on a mission. Thomas, who has lived in South Orange for the past 72 years, thought he knew every corner of the community. He realized that some corners are still new to him when he began the hunt for World War I monuments. Thomas presented his findings -- so far -- to the town's Board of Trustees Monday, August 16.

Some of the monuments are possibly bordering areas of Maplewood. Briefly, there are six names on the town monument that recognize the area's fallen from World War I. That memorial is the flagpole at the intersection of South Orange Avenue, Irvington Avenue, and Academy Street. The names are Chespeto DeCarlo, Ronald Wood Hoskier, James Kyle, Bernard Joseph Mahon, Joseph Elmslie Viles and Francis Burrett Shepard. The flagpole was erected and dedicated by the citizens of South Orange in 1926. A seventh name,

Mahon Green, honoring Bernard Joseph Mahon, is located on Mead Street, next to the bocce courts. When Thomas came across Mahon's memorial, a rock-faced stand some two feet high, topped with an eight-sided bronze plate, he sought more of the same. Thomas learned that Francis Burrett Shepard is also honored with a monument at Shepard's Green, located at the Prospect/Garfield/Tichenor triangle garden.

Working on the theory that each of the six original names must have a monument, Thomas found other locals who led him to Irvington Avenue and then to South Kingman Road, where Chespeto DeCarlo is remembered. Two more names were checked off the list.

When Thomas spoke to the Trustees last week, he told them he is now "stumped." Presenting them with maps that noted the four locations, he wondered aloud if anyone knew of the missing two.

Village President Douglas Newman noted, in thanking Thomas for his efforts, that of the memorials so far identified some appear to be on private land, while others are clearly public. Newman encouraged Thomas to call upon the resources of the South Orange Public Library reference staff, as well as the South Orange Historical and Preservation Society.

Thomas, who described the search as a "scavenger hunt," is eager to find the missing monuments, which could be anywhere in South Orange or, since town lines have shifted, the northern end of Maplewood. "I'd simply like to know where they all are," said Thomas.

Readers with any leads or information are encouraged to comment below.