Forest City in Winnebago County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Union Soldier - Winnebago County Civil War Veterans Memorial
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 21, 2019
1. Union Soldier - Winnebago County Civil War Veterans Memorial
The Union soldier was purchased by the Women's [sic - Woman's] Relief Corps (WRC) in 1899, unveiled June 29, 1900 and dedicated July 5, 1900. The local WRC Chapter was founded in 1891 with the object of caring for Union soldiers of the Civil War to extend aid to their widows and orphans and to honor the heroic dead. 151 Civil War veterans are buried in Winnebago county.
The statue and fountain were separate pieces made by J. L. Mott Iron works of Trenton, MN. According to a 1900 J.L. Mott catalog, the Soldier cost $155 painted and the fountain $700. There is only one other combination identical to this one in the US. The Smithsonian Institute states there are 124 Union and Confederate Soldier statues existing today. Few grace courthouse squares.
The Soldier is zinc and is made of several pieces brazed together. Zinc is commonly used because of its cost, low melting point, strength and availability.
French Victorian is the fountain design with the most unique pieces being the goats' heads. During the 1700's the goat was a symbol of strength of victory. The horns form a "V", as we extend two fingers in a "V" for victory. We are really symbolizing the horns.
Restoration occurred in 2005
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music
this page online
Location. 43° 15.783′ N, 93° 38.323′ W. Memorial is in Forest City, Iowa, in Winnebago County. It is at the intersection of South Clark Street and East J Street on South Clark Street. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Forest City IA 50436, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in North Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Winnebago County (a few steps from this marker); Forest City, Iowa Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Winnebago County, Iowa Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Winnebago County Spanish-American War Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S.S. Maine Memorial (approx. 11.3 miles away); Britt Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial (approx. 14.2 miles away).
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 21, 2019
2. Union Soldier - Winnebago County Civil War Veterans Memorial
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 21, 2019
3. Union Soldier - Winnebago County Civil War Veterans Memorial
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, April 21, 2019
4. Union Soldier - Winnebago County Civil War Veterans Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 480 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 4, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
