Southwestern Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

REMOVED

SEE LOCATION SECTION

The G.A.R. Memorial Plot

Photographed by Syd Whittle, May 30, 2006

1. The G.A.R Memorial Plot Marker

The text on the left side describes the monument and its history. The text on the right is the history of the G.A.R.

Inscription. Sacramento City CemeteryThe GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC Memorial Plot was originally located in the New Helvetia Cemetery at the corner of 31st and J Streets, a plot donated to the Sumner Post No.3 by the owner and proprietor John Wesley Reeves. It was duly dedicated in 1865. Upon the death of Reeves in 1867, and the City’s acquisition of the New Helvetia facility, a plot of more appreciable size was offered to the G.A.R. in City Cemetery in exchange. The remains of Civil War veterans buried at New Helvetia were removed and re-interred here. The plot was subsequently walled with granite coping in anticipation of a suitable monument, but lacking adequate funds at the time, the project was set aside. It was not until 1888 that the G.A.R monument issue was revived and plans again submitted to the City Council for approval. Still inadequate finances plagued the completion of this project. It wasn’t until the GRAND ARMY MEMORIAL FUND was established and support promised by the Memorial Day Committee that the monument was assured, and not until unexpected support from the Grand Memorial Fund was received that the Memorial to Civil

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War Veterans became a reality.

On the north side of the monument there is a portrait medallion of General Ulysses S. Grant, and on the south side a Grand Army Badge with five outstanding figures including: the soldier – representing fraternity, the boy – youth and strength of the future life of our nation, the woman – motherhood, mercy, kindness and extended charity, the child – hope of the world and loyalty to our nation with freedom and justice for future generations.

The monument base is of California granite. The soldier is 6 feet 10 ½ inches high and is cast in bronze. The monument was unveiled September 9, 1889, as N.Green Curtis read Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

The Grand Army of the RepublicThe GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC was a fraternal, charitable, and patriotic organization comprised exclusively of veterans of the Civil War who served in the Union Army, Navy, or Marine Corps during the period April 12, 1861 to April 9, 1865. It was founded in Springfield, Illinois, April 16, 1866 by Major Benjamin F. Stephenson, ex-surgeon of the 14th Illinois Infantry. It was organized primarily to perpetuate the memory of fallen comrades,

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 2, 2019

2. The G.A.R. Memorial Plot Marker

It appears that the laminated sheets that make up the marker were renewed since originally erected, probably during cleaning or replacement. The text has not changed.

to provide care for surviving widows and orphans, to cultivate devotion to the Union, and to establish burial sites as a final resting place for its veterans members. The G.A.R. also established Old Soldiers Homes and instituted the observance of Memorial Day as a day to decorate Civil War veterans graves.

The National organization of the G.A.R. reached a membership peak in 1890 of [400,487]. By 1930 its rolls had dwindled to 21,000 and by 19[50] only a few survivors remained. The GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC held its final encampment August 29, 1949 at which time 16 centenarians were honored. On March 12, 1953, James Albert Hard passed away at the age of 111 years, 8 months, thus laying to rest the last combat soldier of the Union Army.

The Sacramento Chapter of the G.A.R., Sumner Post No. 3, was organized May 26, 1867, and at one time recorded a membership of one hundred and twenty-two veterans. By 1880 its rolls had already been reduced to forty.

Erected by Sacramento City Cemetery.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations

The G.A.R Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, May 30, 2006

3. The G.A.R Monument

• Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the The Grand Army of the Republic series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1835.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 33.749′ N, 121° 29.977′ W. Marker was in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It was in Southwestern Sacramento. It could be reached from Broadway. Marker and site are located at the Sacramento City Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1000 Broadway, Sacramento CA 95818, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in the Sacramento Valley

and specifically in the Central Valley.

It was also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it was in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

Close-Up of Sculpture on Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 13, 2008

4. Close-Up of Sculpture on Monument

Soldier is Facing West

are within walking distance of this location: May Hollister Woolsey (a few steps from this marker); Veteran of Foreign Wars Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Theodora Tiffee Purkitt, M.D. (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles Duncombe, M.D. (1787 – 1862) (within shouting distance of this marker); John Bigler (within shouting distance of this marker); Sacramento Turn Verein (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Masonic Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles "Charley" King (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Charles A. “Charlie” King (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. The Grand Army of the Republic. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 12, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

2. G.A.R. – Department of California & Pacific. Sons of Union Civil War Veterans website homepage (Submitted on October 12, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Additional commentary.
1.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 13, 2008

5. The G.A.R Monument

Southside of Monument

Grand Army of the Republic Plot
This site was dedicated in 1889, and the monument is reputed to have been the first Civil War memorial in the State of California

— Submitted October 12, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, October 13, 2008

6. The G.A.R. Monument

Eastern Side (Back) of Monument

The G.A.R. Memorial Plot and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 2, 2019

7. The G.A.R. Memorial Plot and Marker

Marker Has Been Removed image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 7, 2023

8. Marker Has Been Removed

Photographed by Syd Whittle, May 30, 2006

9. The G.A.R Monument

Ulysses S. Grant, as described on the marker Northside of Monument

The G.A.R Memorial Plot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, May 30, 2006

10. The G.A.R Memorial Plot

A closer view of the Grant image on the G.A.R. Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 2, 2019

11. A closer view of the Grant image on the G.A.R. Memorial

Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,197 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 12, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 2. submitted on July 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on October 12, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 13, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 7. submitted on July 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 8. submitted on June 29, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 9, 10. submitted on October 12, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 11. submitted on July 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.