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

The Grand Army of the Republic Post 28

Indiana, Pennsylvania

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 9, 2025

1. The Grand Army of the Republic Post 28 Marker

Inscription.

The Grand Army of the Republic Post 28. Indiana, Pennsylvania. , The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was a fraternal organization composed of honorably discharged Union veterans of the Civil War. Founded April 6, 1866 in Decatur, Illinois by Benjamin F. Stephenson, members adhered to the three principles of Fraternity, Loyalty and Charity. The G.A.R. strengthened the bonds of comradeship, preserved the memory of fallen comrades, and gave aid to widows, orphans and handicapped veterans., Groups of veterans joined together for camaraderie, and later for political power. The G.A.R. became the most powerful 'single issue' political lobby of the 19th century for veterans' pensions. In addition to securing adequate pensions for many veterans, the G.A.R. helped elect five post-war presidents from its own membership. To its members, it was also a secret fraternal order, a source of local charity, a provider of entertainment in small communities, and a patriotic organization., To honor Union veterans who gave their last full measure during the war, Decoration Day, later known as Memorial Day, was instituted by the G.A.R. in May of 1868. It later became more about reconciliation during the Reconstruction Era following the Civil War. Subsequently, Memorial Day has included all fallen veterans., On September 26, 1866, the Veterans held a meeting to consider erecting a Civil War monument as a tribute to their fallen comrades. On April 15, 1869, the "Indiana County Soldiers' Monument Association" was formed. The veterans attempted several times to raise money without success. During the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, the G.A.R. veterans' vision was fulfilled on Veterans Day, November 11, 2013. The "Rest on Arms" Memorial commemorates the gallant deeds of the Indiana County Civil War veterans for all ages., The first G.A.R. Post in Indiana County was organized as Post #28 on September 15, 1868, with thirty members. By 1880, the membership had increased to seventy. Later, Post #28 met at Memorial Hall, also known as the Silas M. Clark House., [Image captions, left to right, read] , . GAR Reunion, Memorial Hall , . GAR Reunion, Memorial Hall , . [Memorial Hall/Silas M. Clark House] , . Grand Army of the Republic Pin , . GAR Reunion

The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was a fraternal organization composed of honorably discharged Union veterans of the Civil War. Founded April 6, 1866 in Decatur, Illinois by Benjamin F. Stephenson, members adhered to the three principles of Fraternity, Loyalty and Charity. The G.A.R. strengthened the bonds of comradeship, preserved the memory of fallen comrades, and gave aid to widows, orphans and handicapped veterans.

Groups of veterans joined together for camaraderie, and later for political power. The G.A.R. became the most powerful 'single issue' political lobby of the 19th century for veterans' pensions. In addition to securing adequate pensions for many veterans, the G.A.R. helped elect five post-war presidents from its own membership. To its members, it was also a secret fraternal order, a source of local charity, a provider of entertainment in small communities, and a patriotic organization.

To honor Union veterans who gave their last full measure during the war, Decoration Day, later known as Memorial Day, was instituted by the G.A.R. in May of 1868. It later became more about reconciliation during the Reconstruction Era following the Civil War. Subsequently, Memorial Day has included all fallen veterans.

On September 26, 1866, the Veterans held a meeting to consider erecting a

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Civil War monument as a tribute to their fallen comrades. On April 15, 1869, the "Indiana County Soldiers' Monument Association" was formed. The veterans attempted several times to raise money without success. During the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, the G.A.R. veterans' vision was fulfilled on Veterans Day, November 11, 2013. The "Rest on Arms" Memorial commemorates the gallant deeds of the Indiana County Civil War veterans for all ages.

The first G.A.R. Post in Indiana County was organized as Post #28 on September 15, 1868, with thirty members. By 1880, the membership had increased to seventy. Later, Post #28 met at Memorial Hall, also known as the Silas M. Clark House.

[Image captions, left to right, read]
• GAR Reunion, Memorial Hall
• GAR Reunion, Memorial Hall
• [Memorial Hall/Silas M. Clark House]
• Grand Army of the Republic Pin
• GAR Reunion

Erected by Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1866.

Location. 40° 37.21′ N, 79° 9.057′ W. Marker is in Indiana, Pennsylvania, in Indiana County. It is at the intersection of

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 9, 2025

2. The Grand Army of the Republic Post 28 Marker

Right marker

6th Street and Wayne Avenue, on the right when traveling south on 6th Street. Marker is on the Silas M. Clark House grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 South 6th Street, Indiana PA 15701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Rest on Arms" (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Rest on Arms (here, next to this marker); Silas M. Clark House (here, next to this marker); 5-inch Model 1897 Rifled Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Memorial Park (about 300 feet away); "The Spirit of The American Soldier" (about 300 feet away); Indiana Memorial (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indiana.

Also see . . . A Brief History of the Grand Army of the Republic (Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War). (Submitted on November 11, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 61 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 11, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.