Clifford’s Memorial Park was purchased by the Village of Clifford in 1909 and was known as Central Park before it was repurposed and renamed in 1921. A park was chosen because the village wanted a memorial that would also serve as a gathering place for its residents to enjoy. William Hood, father of fallen soldier Private William Allan Hood, brought his team of Percheron horses to the site to level the ground.

The creation of Memorial Park and the Clifford Cenotaph was led by the Village Council and funded by an addition to the year’s property tax rate.