The Merritt Cenotaph was largely the work of the local Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Great War Veterans’ Association. It was constructed by Patterson, Chandler, and Stephen Ltd. out of Vancouver and W.R. Chandler personally oversaw the placement of the monument. The cenotaph was unveiled on 6 November 1921, and dedicated to those who died in the First World War. Later, inscriptions were added for the South African War, Second World War and Korean War.
To recognize the 75th birthday of the City of Merritt, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 96 restored the cenotaph on the courthouse lawn. Over $6,000.00 was raised for the project that included renewing the walkway, cleaning, replacing missing letters and placing black granite slates around the base. Unveiling and rededication took place following a parade on 23 July 1986.
On 5 November 2008, the cenotaph was moved to the Merritt Civic Centre.
