William Jenkins Worth (March 1, 1794 – May 7, 1849) was a decorated Major General in the United States Army whose remains lie buried beneath Worth Square in New York City's Flatiron District. A hero of the War of 1812, the Second Seminole War, and the Mexican-American War, Worth became famous for leading the assault that captured Mexico City's Chapultepec fortress in 1847. His burial site at the intersection of Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 25th Street represents one of the most unusual grave locations in American urban history.
The Worth Monument at Worth Square stands 51 feet tall and was dedicated on November 25, 1857—Evacuation Day, marking the anniversary of British withdrawal from New York after the Revolutionary War. Worth is one of the only individuals ever buried beneath a public intersection in Manhattan, making his memorial both a landmark and an active gravesite that thousands of New Yorkers walk past daily without realizing what lies beneath their feet.
| Full name | William Jenkins Worth |
| Born / Died | March 1, 1794 / May 7, 1849 |
| Profession | Major General, United States Army; Mexican-American War hero; Commandant of Cadets at West Point |
| Active in Flatiron | 1812–1849 (military career); 1857–present (posthumous memorial presence in Flatiron District) |
| Known for | Capturing the fortress of Chapultepec during the Mexican-American War, training a generation of future Civil War generals at West Point, being buried beneath a public intersection in Manhattan |
| Key Flatiron location | Worth Monument at Worth Square, intersection of Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and West 25th Street, dedicated 1857, still standing and designated NYC Landmark (1980) |
| Notable legacy | Worth remains one of the only individuals in Manhattan history buried directly beneath a public street, and his 51-foot granite obelisk continues to mark the northern edge of the Flatiron District. |
Who Was William?
William Jenkins Worth was born in Hudson, New York, in 1794 and enlisted in the United States Army at the start of the War of 1812. He rose quickly through the ranks, distinguishing himself with a fierce determination that earned him respect from soldiers and commanders alike. By 1820, he had been appointed Commandant of Cadets at West Point, a position he held for eight years.
Shaping America’s Military Future
At West Point, Worth trained an entire generation of officers who would later lead armies on both sides of the Civil War—including Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis. His emphasis on discipline and tactical precision left an indelible mark on American military education. He was brevetted eight times during his career for gallantry, more than almost any other U.S. Army officer of his era.
The Mexican-American War and National Fame
Worth’s greatest moment came in September 1847, when he led the assault on the fortress of Chapultepec in Mexico City. The victory was decisive, effectively ending Mexican resistance and cementing Worth’s reputation as one of America’s most capable battlefield commanders. He served under General Winfield Scott, who relied on Worth’s aggressive tactics throughout the campaign.
Worth died of cholera on May 7, 1849, in San Antonio, Texas, while commanding the Department of Texas. He was 55 years old. His death prompted an outpouring of national grief, and New York City immediately began planning a permanent memorial to honor his service. His remains would eventually be moved to a site just one block from Madison Square Park.
William Jenkins Worth's Connection to the Flatiron District
William Jenkins Worth never lived in the Flatiron District—but his presence there is permanent. His remains have lain beneath Worth Square since 1857, making him a literal foundation of the neighborhood’s identity.
Worth Monument: A Burial Site in Plain Sight
The Worth Monument rises 51 feet above the triangular plaza at the intersection of Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and West 25th Street. Constructed of granite, the obelisk was funded by public subscription from soldiers and citizens who wanted to honor Worth’s service. His remains were exhumed from Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn and reinterred at this site on November 25, 1857—the same day the monument was dedicated.
The date was deliberate. November 25th was Evacuation Day, commemorating the British withdrawal from New York City at the end of the Revolutionary War. By choosing this date, the city explicitly linked Worth’s legacy to the founding ideals of American independence—a connection that remains part of Flatiron District history.
One of Manhattan’s Rarest Graves
Worth is one of the only individuals ever buried beneath a public street in Manhattan. [VERIFY] While other monuments around Madison Square Park honor military heroes, almost none contain actual remains below ground. The Worth Monument is both memorial and mausoleum—a distinction that makes it unique among New York’s public spaces.
Worth Square and the Flatiron Landscape
The triangular public space surrounding the monument was officially named Worth Square by the New York City Board of Aldermen in 1857, making it one of the oldest named public squares in what is now the Flatiron District. The square sits at the neighborhood’s northern boundary, just one block from Madison Square Park at 23rd Street.
Today, Worth Square functions as a small public plaza, surrounded by the rush of Broadway traffic and pedestrians heading toward the Flatiron Building. The granite obelisk remains a designated New York City Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Most passersby have no idea they’re walking above a general’s grave.
Legacy and Impact
William Jenkins Worth shaped American history in ways that extend far beyond his Manhattan burial site. The officers he trained at West Point between 1820 and 1828 went on to command armies that determined the outcome of the Civil War. His assault on Chapultepec became a model for American military tactics and is still studied at West Point today.
Fort Worth, Texas—now the 13th largest city in the United States—was named in his honor in 1849, the same year he died. The city’s identity remains linked to Worth’s military legacy, even as it has grown into a modern metropolis.
In the Flatiron District, Worth’s presence is quieter but no less permanent. Visitors can stand at the corner of Broadway and 25th Street and look up at the same obelisk that New Yorkers gathered around in 1857. The monument has weathered over 165 years of Manhattan life, surviving the construction of the subway, the rise of skyscrapers, and countless changes to the neighborhood around it.
For those who know where to look, Worth Square offers something rare in New York: a direct physical connection to a 19th-century American hero, buried beneath the city’s busiest streets. It’s a natural stop on any Flatiron District walking tour.
Here's the thing about New York: you can walk over a general's grave on your way to grab coffee and never know it. Worth Square isn't just a traffic island—it's a burial site, a memorial, and a reminder that history in this city doesn't just hang on walls. It's literally underfoot.
Key Facts Worth Knowing
- 1857: Worth's remains were exhumed from Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery and reinterred beneath the newly constructed monument at 25th Street and Broadway.
- 8 brevets for gallantry—Worth received more honorary promotions for battlefield heroism than almost any other U.S. Army officer of his era.
- 1847: Worth led the assault that captured the fortress of Chapultepec in Mexico City, effectively ending the Mexican-American War.
- 51 feet tall—the Worth Monument obelisk was constructed of granite quarried from Quincy, Massachusetts. [VERIFY]
- 1820–1828: Worth served as Commandant of Cadets at West Point, training future Civil War leaders including Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis.
FIND THEIR LEGACY TODAY
- Worth Square, intersection of Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and West 25th Street — the 51-foot granite obelisk marks Worth's actual burial site beneath the plaza. Look for the bronze reliefs depicting military scenes.
- Madison Square Park, bounded by Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue, 23rd Street, and 26th Street — the adjacent public park provides context for the neighborhood's 19th-century military memorial landscape.
- Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th Street, Brooklyn — Worth's original burial site from 1849 to 1857, before his remains were moved to Manhattan. The cemetery still honors his brief interment there.
Explore More of Flatiron's History
→ Madison Square Park Monuments: The Stories New Yorkers Walk Past Every Day — Explores the military memorials surrounding Madison Square Park, including context for Worth's monument at the park's northern edge.
→ Flatiron District History: NYC's Landmark Evolution — Provides historical background on the neighborhood where Worth's monument has stood since 1857.
→ Flatiron District Walking Tour – Historic NYC Landmarks — Worth Square is a natural stop on any walking tour of the neighborhood's historic landmarks.
→ Madison Square Park NYC: What to See, Eat & Do (2025) — Madison Square Park sits one block south of Worth Square, making the two sites easy to visit together.
→ Flatiron Public Plazas: Secret Tips From a Flatiron Local — Worth Square is one of several small public plazas in the neighborhood that reward visitors who know what to look for.
In Plain English
William Jenkins Worth was a Major General in the United States Army who fought in the War of 1812, the Second Seminole War, and the Mexican-American War. He is best known for leading the assault on Chapultepec in 1847 and for training future Civil War generals at West Point. Worth's remains are buried beneath Worth Square in New York City's Flatiron District, at the intersection of Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 25th Street. The 51-foot granite obelisk marking his grave has stood there since 1857 and remains a designated NYC Landmark.
Frequently Asked Questions About William Jenkins Worth
Q: Who was General Worth and why is there a monument to him in NYC?
A: William Jenkins Worth was a Major General in the United States Army who became a national hero during the Mexican-American War. He led the assault that captured the fortress of Chapultepec in 1847. After his death from cholera in 1849, New York City erected a 51-foot granite obelisk in his honor at the intersection of Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 25th Street. His remains are buried beneath the monument.
Q: Is General Worth actually buried in Manhattan?
A: Yes. William Jenkins Worth is one of the only individuals buried beneath a public street in Manhattan. His remains were originally interred at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn in 1849, but were exhumed and moved to Worth Square in 1857 when the monument was dedicated. His grave lies directly beneath the obelisk at Broadway and 25th Street.
Q: What did William Worth do to become famous?
A: Worth earned fame as a decorated officer who served in three major conflicts. He was brevetted eight times for gallantry during his career. His most celebrated action was leading the assault on Chapultepec during the Mexican-American War in 1847, a victory that effectively ended the war. He also trained future Civil War generals at West Point from 1820 to 1828.
Q: Why is Fort Worth, Texas named after William Worth?
A: Fort Worth, Texas was named in honor of William Jenkins Worth in 1849, the same year he died. At the time of his death, Worth was commanding the Department of Texas, and the frontier outpost established that year was named to commemorate his service. Today, Fort Worth is the 13th largest city in the United States.
Q: What is the Worth Square obelisk in New York?
A: The Worth Square obelisk is a 51-foot granite monument located at the intersection of Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and West 25th Street in Manhattan's Flatiron District. Dedicated in 1857, it honors Major General William Jenkins Worth and marks his actual burial site. The monument is a designated New York City Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.