Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, Phoenix

Loosely based on the National Mall in Washington, DC, Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza is a significant part of the Legislative Government Mall. The plaza was created in 1978 and dedicated to Governor Wesley Bolin, who died suddenly of a heart attack while in office earlier that same year. The plaza is in front of the capitol building and the Capitol Museum. Like its sister, the National Mall in DC, Bolin Plaza is often a focal point of protests and demonstrations for state issues.

Throughout the plaza, you'll find numerous monuments, statues, and plaques. There are gardens, paths, and benches for enjoying the outdoors. Among the many sights, you'll find the anchor, signal mast, and a 14-inch gun from the USS Arizona, which sank at Pearl Harbor during World War II. There are memorials to WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Korea, and Operation Desert Storm. Other notable monuments include the Navajo Codetalkers Memorial, which pays tribute to service given by the members of the tribe from northeastern Arizona. There are also monuments to Purple Heart recipients, Law Enforcement Canine Units, Jewish War Veterans, Confederate Troops, and Pioneer Women, among many others.