Anoka in Anoka County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Aaron Greenwald

Photographed by John Neitz, September 25, 2020

1. Aaron Greenwald Marker

As viewed from the sidewalk on Main Street.

Inscription. Dedicated to Aaron Greenwald and his comrades, who near this spot shortly after 10 A.M. on April 15, 1861, were the first Union Civil War Volunteers in the Nation.

Aaron Greenwald was killed at Gettysburg July 2, 1863, in the "Famous Charge That Saved The Union."

The First Volunteers were: Aaron Greenwald ~ James W. Groat and five others

Erected 1963 by Anoka County Historical Society.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 15, 1861.

Location. 45° 11.972′ N, 93° 23.63′ W. Memorial is in Anoka, Minnesota, in Anoka County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street and Park Street, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street. Located in Aaron Greenwald Park. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 115 Park St, Anoka MN 55303, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World,

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and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Shaw-Hammons House (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Windego Park Auditorium (approx. 0.2 miles away); Main Street Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rum River Dam (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lincoln Flour Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Rum River Dam (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Stone House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Robert W. Akin (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anoka.

Also see . . .
1. What did Aaron Greenwald really do at Gettysburg? - ABC Newspapers. (Submitted on September 26, 2020, by John Neitz of Minneapolis, Minnesota.)
2. History of Anoka - Wikipedia article. (Submitted on September 26, 2020, by John Neitz of Minneapolis, Minnesota.)
3. Who’s No. 1? The story behind the first Civil War volunteers. 2008 article by Brian Wilson in Finance & Commerce. Excerpt:

Greenwald and the six others from Anoka
Photographed by John Neitz, September 25, 2020

2. Aaron Greenwald Marker
Looking southward.
who volunteered that first morning didn’t immediately go to St. Paul, where they would receive their marching orders. They were allowed to stay in Anoka for the morning to put their affairs in order, Wendel noted.

By the time they got to St. Paul, they were plugged into different companies and were asked to re-enlist.

(Submitted on October 19, 2025, by Jeanne Newstrom of Bovey, Minnesota.)

Looking southeast toward Main Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John Neitz, September 25, 2020

3. Looking southeast toward Main Street.

The marker has the same inscription on both sides.

Looking northwest along Main Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John Neitz, September 25, 2020

4. Looking northwest along Main Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2020, by John Neitz of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 1,719 times since then and 115 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 25, 2020, by John Neitz of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.