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Pottstown in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

G.A.R. Statue

Historic Pottstown Walking Tour

 
 
G.A.R. Statue Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 30, 2009
1. G.A.R. Statue Marker
Inscription.
A memorial to veterans of the Civil War, this statue was given to G.A.R. Post No. 595 by Miss Annie Richards in memory of her brother Mathias Edgar Richards. The dedication took place on July 4, 1893 at 11:00 am. At the ceremony, a gavel carved from a tree that stood on Maryes Heights during the Battle of Fredericksburg was presented to the newly formed G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) Post No. 595 named for Richards. Mathias served as an adjutant in Cake's 96th Pennsylvania Regiment from Schuylkill County and as an aide on General Bartlett's staff from 1862-1864.

The statue was originally placed on the northwest corner of High & Charlotte Sts. in front of M. Augustus Withers' building with the understanding that Mr. Withers would supply water to the fountain from his artesian well as long as he owned the building. In summer, his sidewalk had sections which were removed to place ice around the pipes to cool the water to the fountain. The two basins at the bottom on either side were for horses, the smaller ones for dogs. There were also a faucet and a basin for people. CDR. W.H. Jones of the post was the first person to drink from the fountain. When Miss Annie Richards died in 1917, she left money for maintenance of the statue that was used in the 1920's for repairs. For several years, the statue stood at the corner of
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High & Washington Sts. On the 4th of July in 1999, the newly renovated fountain was placed on the northwest corner of High & Evans Sts. and rededicated.
-David R. Kerns
 
Erected 2002 by Pottstown 250th Anniversary Committee.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public WorkFraternal or Sororal OrganizationsHeroesMilitaryPatriots & PatriotismWar, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1893.
 
Location. 40° 14.722′ N, 75° 38.766′ W. Marker is in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery County. Marker is at the intersection of High Street and Evans Street, on the left when traveling east on High Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pottstown PA 19464, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bahr Arcade (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Philadelphia Steam Engine Fire Co. #1 (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Potts Family Burial Ground (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Clair Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pottstown War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); The Pottstown News (approx. ¼ mile away); Site of Old Burial Ground (approx. ¼ mile away); The Security Trust Building (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pottstown.
 
G.A.R. Statue and Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 30, 2009
2. G.A.R. Statue and Marker
G.A.R. Statue image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 30, 2009
3. G.A.R. Statue
G.A.R. Statue Base image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 30, 2009
4. G.A.R. Statue Base
Showing former water fountain basins for people (left), horses (right), and dogs (bottom).
G.A.R. Statue Horse Casting image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 30, 2009
5. G.A.R. Statue Horse Casting
Above water trough for horses on west side of memorial.
G.A.R. Statue Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 30, 2009
6. G.A.R. Statue Photo on Marker
Statue in its original location.
Period G.A.R. Statue Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 30, 2009
7. Period G.A.R. Statue Photo on Marker
G.A.R. Statue Postcard Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 30, 2009
8. G.A.R. Statue Postcard Photo on Marker
Showing post office location.
Desert Shield \ Storm 1990-1991 Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 30, 2009
9. Desert Shield \ Storm 1990-1991 Marker

When You Were Needed You Were There

Presented by the
Students of the
Pottstown Middle School
July 1991

[Located in the Veterans Plaza near statue]
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,861 times since then and 119 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on September 16, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

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Mar. 29, 2024