Parker in Turner County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Original GAR Monument

March 22, 2026

1. The Original GAR Monument Marker

Inscription. The original GAR monument was created and placed in the City Park in 1931 to honor the Civil War veterans of Parker. On June 24, 2003 a tornado damaged the original statue beyond repair. In 2004 the statue was reconstructed in order for future generations to remember and honor the memory of all those that served to preserve the Union during the Civil War.
Sculpture by Jurek Jakowicz in 2004

Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Disasters • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 24, 2003.

Location. 43° 23.663′ N, 97° 8.216′ W. Marker is in Parker, South Dakota, in Turner County. It is on Main Avenue south of Kimball Street, on the right when traveling south. Located north of the Turner County Courthouse, in the northeast corner of the city park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Parker SD 57053, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and monument is in East River

and in Greater Sioux Falls.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

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the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Parker Civil War Monument (a few steps from this marker); Turner County, South Dakota Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); J.W. "Father" Turner (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Parker Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Turner County Poor Farm (approx. 4½ miles away); Marion School (approx. 6.4 miles away); Marion Veterans Memorial (approx. 6½ miles away); Our Lady of Perpetual Help (St. Mary's) Catholic Church (approx. 6.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Parker.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . 20 years later: The community of Parker remembers ‘Tornado Tuesday’ | Dakota News Now. 2023 retrospective news story, with video, looking back

March 22, 2026

2. The Original GAR Monument Marker

on the thoughts and experiences of Parkers' citizens during the tornado outbreak of 2003. (Submitted on June 25, 2026.)

Reconstructed Statue image. Click for full size.

March 22, 2026

3. Reconstructed Statue

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2026. This page has been viewed 18 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 25, 2026.