Completed in 1897 in Upper Manhattan’s Morningside Heights, the grand memorial was modeled after the ancient Mausoleum at Halicarnassus—one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Grant’s widow, Julia, chose the spot along Riverside Drive for its sweeping views and easy access for New Yorkers to visit.
Here’s where it gets fascinating: when Grant passed in 1885, a temporary tomb nearby drew up to 40,000 visitors in a single day! For years afterward, the permanent memorial became one of NYC’s top attractions. Yet by the late 20th century, it fell into shocking neglect—so much so that many visitors didn’t even know whose tomb it was. It took the efforts of a determined Columbia University student in the 1990s to spark a massive restoration and restore the tomb’s dignity.
Look closely at the details and you’ll find hidden treasures: the massive wooden entrance doors hold 296 carved rosettes, each concealing parchment papers signed by New Yorkers who helped fund the project. And just outside, a grove of ginkgo trees was planted to honor Chinese diplomat Li Hongzhang’s 1897 visit, a nod to Grant’s international legacy.
Today, this 150-foot-tall monument still commands attention—once even the tallest structure in the neighborhood until Riverside Church rose nearby in 1930. Whether you admire it as history, architecture, or trivia, Grant’s Tomb remains one of New York City’s most fascinating landmarks
