top of page
Welcome to
Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery Park
Welcome to the flagpole, a testament to the dedication of the volunteers who care for this cemetery both past and present.
On your way over to the flagpole, you may have noticed some large trees behind the hedge. The centermost tree is said to be an oak sapling from Springfield, Illinois, where Abraham Lincoln resided for a time. It is possible this was once intended to accompany the Lincoln statue planned for the center of the cemetery, though we cannot know this for sure.
Lincoln Oak at GAR Cemetery Park.
This flagpole was installed as part of a major restoration project undertaken in the early 2000s by The Friends of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Originally, the cemetery had a flagpole by the monument, but it had deteriorated quite a bit over the years. This replacement came from the 1962 World's Fair Flag Pavilion at the Seattle Center, and the cobblestones surrounding it (and at the cemetery's entrance) came from the streets of Pioneer Square, merging together two very different eras of Seattle's history.
Flag Pavilion at Seattle Center, 1962.
Image property of Seattle Municipal Archives
It is thanks to this incredible restoration project that GAR Cemetery Park is preserved as well as it is. Without the dedication and drive of community members, this slice of Seattle history could have been lost to time.
In 1996, a proposal was made to the city of Seattle to make GAR Cemetery Park an off leash dog run. In order to protect this historic space from the potential damage an off-leash dog run could bring, the neighbors banded together to oppose this proposal. After getting organized through neighborhood meetings, a letter writing campaign, and posting leaflets around the neighborhood, in 1997, the Friends of GAR Cemetery Park (FGAR) group was born. Equally concerned about this proposal was the local chapter Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), a fraternal organization of descendants of Union Civil War Veterans, and the Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (ASUVCW), SUVCW's women's auxiliary group. These organizations are the legal descendants of the original GAR and Women's Relief Corps posts that helped found and care for the cemetery, hence their passion for protecting this site.
Cynthia Wells, founding member of FGAR, speaks at a public workshop discussing improvement plans, 2002.
Image courtesy of Tom Easthope
FGAR ended up adopting the park and agreed to maintain it, and the SUVCW was designated the owners and maintaining party of the gravesites. Thanks to a grant awarded by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, in 2005, FGAR, SUVCW, and ASUVCW members undertook a massive effort at the cemetery. Illegible and sunken tombstones were replaced with new ones, the English laurel hedge was replaced with California laurel, and the new flagpole was installed. Perhaps the most substantial undertaking of this project was the creation of an improved entrance to the cemetery. Cobblestones saved from the Pioneer Square neighborhood were installed to the entrance walkway and around the new flag pole, and volunteers dug out the area for the new driveway. David James, a member of the FGAR, worked with a local company to design a kiosk to allow for interpretive signage.
Replacement tombstones being brought in.
Image courtesy of Tom Easthope
Tombstone replacement.
Image courtesy of Tom Easthope
Volunteers tending to gravesites.
Image courtesy of Tom Easthope
Today, the care of the GAR Cemetery Park is divided between the FGAR and the City of Seattle, though much of this is coordinated by the FGAR. Neighbors continue to take the time to weed, restore turf, and perform other maintenance. This too has been a source of community building for the community, as work parties of neighbors have spent a great deal of time working out in the cemetery and park. GAR Cemetery Park is deeply important to the residents of this neighborhood, as they see their hard work as an investment into future generations and preserving the memory of the people buried here.
Neighbors also participate in the tradition of raising and lowering the flag every day, which they have done for over two decades. Started by founding FGAR member Tim Kerr, this has been a cherished neighborhood tradition that many have taken part in. Tom Easthope, another of the FGAR’s founding members, continues to coordinate the flag raising and lowering rotation, and is also one of the most frequent flag raisers. Fellow neighbor Randy Urmston, who’s military service gives him a personal connection to this ritual, also ranks among the most frequent flag raisers. In 2023 alone, both have raised or lowered the flag over 100 times each. This is a community effort among many of the park’s neighbors, and FGAR is always looking for new faces interested in volunteering their time to participate in this cherished tradition.
Tim Kerr lowering the flag.
Image courtesy of Tom Easthope
The story of GAR Cemetery Park's rescue is nothing short of remarkable, and is an example of the power of community organization in historic preservation. GAR Cemetery Park is one of many overlooked historic cemeteries and sites throughout the United States that have faced the risk of being lost. Here in Washington State alone, there are over 140 sites listed by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation as endangered sites. It is vital to pay attention to historic sites in your community, and see what you can do to get involved to protect your local history.
It's time to head to the final stop on this guided walk. Please make your way to the large stone at the entrance of the cemetery.
.jpg)
Next Stop!
If you would like, before you head to the next stop on your walk, take the time to stop by the tombstones of the two individuals below. Walking directions from the monument are provided below each profile.
From the flagpole, face towards the monument and walk five rows forward. Walk to the 6th tombstone from the end of the row nearest the cemetery entrance.
From the flagpole, face towards the entrance and stop at the first white tombstone in the row closest to the flagpole.
When you are at the stone, press the button below to continue.
Start here!
bottom of page