How to get 19 month old settled at night?

Well I got my 19 month old off bottles last week at bedtime. It has been huge difference for us, he actually sleeps through the night now. But, he is putting up a huge resistance at bedtime, before he would go to sleep with his bottle, and that would be it. Now, he is crying very much so. Sometimes up to an hour. What is the best way to get him over this, and accept the fact that bedtime is bedtime. Should I let him cry hysterically, or should I go hold him (every 10 minutes or so.) It is starting to wear quite thin. Thanks in advance.