Knoxville in Marion County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Marion County Freedom Rock
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
1. Marion County Freedom Rock Marker
Understanding the Freedom Rock:
East Side of the Rock is dedicated to the creator of the Iowa Flag, Dixie Cornell Gebhardt.
The West side of the Rock is dedicated to the 6th Governor of Iowa, William Milo Stone of Marion County. Stone, a good friend of Abraham Lincoln, was present at Lincoln's assassination, and helped carry the mortally wounded President across the street to the boarding home where he later died. The building on the painting is the building that used to sit where the Civil War Memorial currently is, and was the Capital during Stone’s tenure. It caught fire a few years after Stone left the Governorship.
The North Side of the Rock is of course old Glory.
The South Side illustrates a view from a Helicopter door while retrieving wounded soldiers. Interestingly enough, Clifford DeMoss, Viet Nam Veteran from Knoxville, who passed away in April of 2010, has his ashes painted into the rock on this side.
The Miller/Pearson Family, The City of Knoxville, Jim Pelong, Bill and Lucille Wolfe, Ray Bubba Sorensen, and all of the Contributors from literally all over the world that made this Freedom Rock possible and to all of the current and former Military that wrote the blank check to America, Pledging to defend her at any cost!
this page online
Erected by AMVETS Post 63.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil • War, Vietnam • Women. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Freedom Rock Memorials series lists.
Location. 41° 19.357′ N, 93° 6.584′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Iowa, in Marion County. Memorial is at the intersection of North Lincoln Street (Iowa Route 14) and Jones Street, on the left when traveling north on North Lincoln Street. Marker and Freedom Rock are located in Young's Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Knoxville IA 50138, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Vietnam Memorial (here, next to this marker); Marion County Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Erected to the Memory of All Departed Soldiers, Sailors and Marines (approx. 0.7 miles away); 1942 M5 - 3" Howitzer (approx. ¾ mile away); Dixie Cornell Gebhardt (approx. ¾ mile away); The Red Rock Line (approx. ¾ mile away); Dragoon Trail Historical Site Marker No. 6 (approx. 4.8 miles away); a different marker also named The Red Rock Line (approx. 5½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
2. Marion County Freedom Rock
1. The Freedom Rock. Thanking our Veterans, one painting at a time. (Submitted on July 13, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Dixie Cornell Gebhardt (Wikipedia). The Iowa state flag design was commissioned by Iowa's Governor William Harding and the state Council of Defense in May 1917. It was originally used as a regimental flag for Iowa Guardsmen serving along the Mexican border during World War I. It was adopted as Iowa's official state flag in March 1921. Gebhardt received a copyright of her design, which she then presented as a gift to her native state. (Submitted on July 13, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. William Milo Stone (Wikipedia). Stone enlisted as a private in the Union Army. He was quickly promoted to captain, and then major, of Company B, 3rd Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He fought and was wounded at the Battle of Liberty, but returned to fight at the Battle of Shiloh, where he was taken prisoner. In 1862, Stone was promoted to colonel of the 22nd Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He led that unit in the Vicksburg Campaign, and was again wounded on May 22, 1863, during a major Union assault undertaken as part of the Siege of Vicksburg. (Submitted on July 13, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
3. Marion County Freedom Rock
(Dixie Cornell Gebhardt • east side)
(Dixie Cornell Gebhardt • east side)
Marion County Native
Designer of the
Iowa Flag
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
4. Marion County Freedom Rock
(William Stone & Abraham Lincoln • west side)
(William Stone & Abraham Lincoln • west side)
William M. Stone
• Governor in Brick Capitol
• 22nd IA Infantry
• Friend of Lincoln
• Governor in Brick Capitol
• 22nd IA Infantry
• Friend of Lincoln
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
5. Marion County Freedom Rock
(Old Glory • north side)
(Old Glory • north side)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
6. Marion County Freedom Rock
(Viet Nam Helicopter Rescue • south side)
(Viet Nam Helicopter Rescue • south side)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2021
7. Marion County (Knoxville) Freedom Rock Artist
Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 348 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 13, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
