BELL ROCK MEMORIAL PARK

Bell Rock Memorial Park is a public park containing memorials to Malden’s soldiers in various wars. The largest is a Civil War memorial statue known as “The Flag Defenders,” sculpted by Bela Pratt. The statue has three figures representing the Army, Navy, and Marines. It is located atop the rocky outcropping at the highest point of the park. The park also contains a large World War II memorial and smaller plaques honoring soldiers from the Revolutionary War, World War I, Korean War, and Vietnam War. Before becoming a public park, the site was the location of Malden’s first two Congregational meeting houses. The site got its name because in 1658 a bell was hung atop the rocky outcropping and rung to summon people for worship. Bell Rock Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.