Welcome to
Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery Park
Welcome to the monument, a fascinating remnant of the cemetery’s earlier days, as well its years of neglect after the 1940s.
Before continuing on with this guide, take a moment to look at the monument yourself. What do you notice? Does anything stand out to you about it? How does it compare to other memorials you have seen before? Be sure to walk around it completely!
This monument was erected on November 6th, 1910 by the Woman’s Relief Corps (WRC). At the time, GAR Cemetery was still considered a part of Lakeview Cemetery. In order to build this, the WRC raised over $1,000 (the equivalent of roughly $32,000 in modern purchasing power), via community fundraising, including a bake sale held at Pike Place Market. The monument is made of Vermont Granite, a popular material for monuments at the time. Directly in front of the monument is where the cemetery's original flagpole once stood.
Members of the Woman's Relief Corps at GAR Cemetery Park.
Image property of the Museum of History and Industry.
GAR Veterans at GAR Cemetery Park.
Image property of the Museum of History and Industry.
Distinct Features & Symbols
The design of this monument is unique when compared to Civil War monuments throughout the country for several reasons. Firstly, it is quite minimalist compared to war memorials of the early 1900s, many of which feature ornate carving and sculpture work. In short, the simplicity of this monument makes it stand out among its intricate contemporary counterparts found elsewhere in the country.
GAR & WRC Monuments.
From left: Austin, Minnesota, 1906. Burlington, Vermont, 1907. Chico, California, 1910.
Images by Thomas Onions, Carol M. Highsmith, and Syd Whittle.
Another distinct feature, or omission rather, is a lack of a specific locale, branch or service, or military unit inscribed on the monument. It is typical for a Civil War monument to specify soldiers that came from a specific location or joined a specific GAR post, yet this monument lacks this specificity, a reflection of the diversity of of home states and countries, as well the multiple GAR posts, represented by the people buried here. Its simple inscription; "In memory of our heroes," is unifying for all buried here.
Inscriptions on GAR & WRC Monuments.
From left: Evansville, Indiana, 1909. Gentry, Arkansas, 1918.
Images by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, and the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.
Finally, the monument’s shape, an obelisk, is an interesting glimpse into American architectural influences. Obelisks are often attributed to ancient Egypt, and were erected to recognize godliness or great achievements of Pharaohs. In the 1800s, Egyptian architecture was of increasing interest to Americans, inspiring the design of the Washington Monument in D.C., and spurring smaller obelisks in cemeteries around the country. At the time the monument here was erected, it was increasingly popular to have family obelisks in cemeteries, and there are quite a few war monuments from this period with this shape. Though obelisks are still used in cemeteries and memorials, they are far less common than they were during the 1800s and early 1900s.
Around the base of the obelisk, you may have noticed some symbols.
Do you recognize any of them?
Let's go through what each of them represent.
Front
Inscribed on the front of the monument are the years 1861 and 1865, the years the Civil War began and ended. Between them is a Grand Army of the Republic Medal, which was worn by members. This badge was modeled after the star found on the Medal of Honor. In each point of the star is a different symbol representing types of units in the Union Army; artillery, calvary, infantry, marines, and sailors. In the center of the star, a soldier and sailor stand in front of two American flags, a fasces, an eagle, and the Roman Goddess of liberty, Libertas. Their arms are extended towards one another and are clasped, as if swearing an oath. Below them are a young girl and boy who are looking up, and are protected under the arms of the two men. This image symbolizes the GAR's three core values of fraternity, loyalty, and charity, and was also featured on the Woman's Relief Corps medal. The ribbon of the GAR medal is an American flag topped by an eagle grasping a sword upon two crossed canons and a pile of canon balls.
GAR & WRC Medals.
Images property of Tennessee State Library and Archives, and The Harvey County Historical Museum.
Left
On the left side of the base is the symbol of the United States Calvary, featuring two crossed sabers. Interestingly, there is a bugle below the sabers, a symbol more strongly associated with Infantry units during the Civil War.
Calvary Officer's Hat.
Image property of International Military Antiques.
Back
On the back side of the base is the symbol of the United States Infantry, featuring two crossed rifles and a canteen. A common misconception is that the crossed rifles were worn during the Civil War, when they did not become part of Infantry insignia until around 1875. Infantry soldiers in the Union Army often wore bugles on their caps, so this was likely a design choice to reflect standards current to the 1910s when the monument was erected, rather than the 1860s.
Enlisted Infantry Cap.
Image property of Heritage Auctions.
Right
On the right side of the base is the symbol of the United States Artillery, featuring two crossed canons and two canon balls.
Start here!
Artillery Officer's Hat.
Image property of J. Mountain Auctions.
Remnants of Neglect
You might have also noticed that the monument has quite a few large chunks taken out of it. These are lasting scars from when GAR Cemetery Park experienced a prolonged period of neglect.
The cemetery has had a difficult history when it comes to maintenance and ownership. In 1922, the GAR hired Lakeview Cemetery to take over maintenance as many of the soldiers were aging, an expensive solution for the shrinking organization. The GAR made a case to Seattle's City Council, who agreed to take over the surrounding property as a park and maintain the cemetery. This was when the original hedge was planted, and the tombstones were flattened. During World War II, the site was used for a power plant, a searchlight, and crew quarters. The last Civil War Veteran to be buried here, Daniel Reams, died in 1943. The cemetery's final burial was in 1963, John R. Coffin, son of Union Veteran Frank S. Coffin.
Around the 1950s, GAR Cemetery Park began to become severely neglected. Without a consistent group maintaining it, the cemetery became a dumping ground for trash. It was also a playground for local kids, who would play games on the tombstones, likely causing some of the wear seen on some of the tombstones. Neighbors recall local teens throwing beer bottles at the monument, which seems to be the source of the large chips on the monument. An article from The Seattle Times in 1966 described the cemetery as follows:
"The cemetery is littered with beer bottles and cartons. Pieces of white plastic foam were scattered about. We found a garbage-can lid and a broken weathered trellis near the marble in the center of the cemetery."
- Don Wright
"Times Troubleshooter," The Seattle Times, October 16, 1966.
This issue of neglect has plagued the cemetery on and off throughout the years, and has been in danger of disappearing multiple times. Not too long ago, the cemetery was once again at risk, and a new group, The Friends of Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery Park, stepped in to save this incredible historic site. You can hear more about their story at the next stop on this walk!
If you would like, before you head to the next stop on your walk, take the time to stop by the tombstones of the four individuals below. Walking directions from the monument are provided below each profile.
From the monument, face towards the flagpole and walk to the 1st horizontal row and find the rectangular slate tombstone directly parallel with the monument.
From the monument, face towards the neighborhood and walk down the hill to the 4th row and stop at the 3rd tombstone from the end closest to the flagpole.
From the monument, face towards the flagpole and walk to the 1st horizontal row and stop at the large rectangle on the ground with 2 rounded tombstones.
From the monument, face towards the neighborhood and walk down the hill to the 2nd row and stop at the 4th grave from the end closest to the flagpole.
To continue on this guided walk, please make your way to the flag pole. If you are facing away from the monument, the flag pole will be directly in front of you.
