Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Order a flight of infused ya dong shots.
Tep Bar
Thai-Chinese makes up Bangkok’s largest diaspora.
Nai Ek Roll Noodle
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
6 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
7 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
8 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
9 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Massachusetts Uncle Sam Plaza
AO Edited

Uncle Sam Plaza

A tribute to Samuel Wilson, who may be the original "Uncle Sam."

Arlington, Massachusetts

Added By
tdcusick
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Uncle Sam Memorial Statue   Daderot / CC BY-SA 3.0
Uncle Sam Memorial Statue   Daderot / CC BY-SA 3.0
  tdcusick / Atlas Obscura User
  tdcusick / Atlas Obscura User
Uncle Sam Plaza   Peacearth / CC BY-SA 4.0
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Samuel "Uncle Sam" statue in Arlington, Massachusetts, honors the man who may have inspired one of the most iconic American symbols. Sam Wilson was a meat packer who supplied the U.S. Army during the War of 1812, had his crates marked with the initials "U.S." which soldiers jokingly called "Uncle Sam." This association is said to have led to the bearded, top-hat-wearing figure of Uncle Sam a personification of the American spirit. (Whether this story is actually true is not known for sure.)

The statue, installed during the United States Bicentennial in 1976, depicts Wilson in his later years, an ordinary citizen whose name became synonymous with patriotism, service, and national pride. It stands near Wilson's birthplace in Arlington, Massachusetts. Next to the statue is a bronze relief with elements from Wilson's life—a ship, a butcher, a soldier on horseback. Above it all is a traditional depiction of the "Uncle Sam" figure, with a long beard, a top hat, and tails.

This classic depiction of Uncle Sam was popularized by a famous World War I recruitment poster created by J. M. Flagg in 1917. A white-haired Uncle Sam points out at the viewer, with the words "I want you for the U.S. Army" below his image. 

Related Tags

Military History Americana Statues

Community Contributors

Added By

tdcusick

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy

  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

July 4, 2024

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Sam_Memorial_Statue
Uncle Sam Plaza
4 Mystic St
Arlington, Massachusetts, 02474
United States
42.415841, -71.153203
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Sagamore John Burial Monument

Medford, Massachusetts

miles away

Museum of Modern Renaissance

Somerville, Massachusetts

miles away

Emerson’s Pickle Factory Plaque

Somerville, Massachusetts

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Massachusetts

Massachusetts

United States

Places 541
Stories 42

Nearby Places

Sagamore John Burial Monument

Medford, Massachusetts

miles away

Museum of Modern Renaissance

Somerville, Massachusetts

miles away

Emerson’s Pickle Factory Plaque

Somerville, Massachusetts

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Massachusetts

Massachusetts

United States

Places 541
Stories 42

Related Places

  • Gabrielle Petit was executed at the age of just 23.

    Brussels, Belgium

    Gabrielle Petit Statue

    Belgium's national heroine turned spy sacrificed her life to combat German occupation.

  • Statue

    Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Transvaal Boer

    Above the heads of passersby stands a small statue commemorating soldiers from the Boer War.

  • The mini Statue of Liberty Replica is located between Harlan and Gaylord, on Harlan Hill.

    Harlan, Kansas

    Statue of Liberty Replica

    This roadside prairie Statue of Liberty replica is one of the foremost examples of the Boy Scouts of America's "Strengthen the Arm of Liberty" campaign.

  • Cowboy Willy

    Willits, California

    Cowboy Willy

    A giant fiberglass Muffler Man found new life as a rodeo guardian.

  • Napoleon’s Army Soldier.

    Bratislava, Slovakia

    Napoleon's Army Soldier

    An ode to a soldier who came to town, fell in love, then began making his own sparkling wine.

  • The Wellington Statue in Aldershot

    Aldershot, England

    Equestrian Statue of the Duke of Wellington

    Now overlooking the Home of the British Army, this gargantuan statue was removed from its original location in London.

  • Just Nuisance statue.

    Cape Town, South Africa

    Just Nuisance Statue

    A memorial to the only dog ever officially enlisted in the Royal Navy.

  • Wellington Monument (Statue of Achilles).

    London, England

    Wellington Monument

    This once-controversial and slightly confusing statue of Achilles was built out of captured cannons.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.