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

Grand Army of the Republic Hall / Litchfield's Historic Downtown

Grand Army of the Republic Hall Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 24, 2013

1. Grand Army of the Republic Hall Marker

Inscription.
Grand Army of the Republic Hall
This brick fortress style building across from Central Park was built in 1885 by Civil War Union soldiers to help promote veterans causes and to provide assistance to veterans and their families.

The G.A.R. Hall was the home of Frank Daggett Post 35.

This building today remains basically the same as it was when the veterans were using it.

The G.A.R. Hall contains a collection of Civil War relics and G.A.R. memorabilia.

This is the only building of its kind in the State of Minnesota.

In 1961, the Meeker County Historical Society built a museum adjacent to the G.A.R. Hall.

This museum contains important artifacts from Meeker County and its past.

Marker donated by: V.F.W. Post 2818

Litchfield's Historic Downtown
Designated "Commercial District" by the National Register of Historic Places on March 1, 1996. Buildings in this district date from circa 1882 through circa 1945.

These buildings are strongly associated with Litchfield's historic role as an agricultural trade center on the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Line (later Great Northern Railroad).

The Litchfield Commercial Historic District is comprised

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of more than 40 buildings that collectively serve as an unusually intact example of a late 19th and early 20th century business district in a small Midwestern farming community.

Many of the commercial buildings in Litchfield were built with bricks manufactured locally at the "Brick Yard Farm" owned by Henry Ames and located 2 miles northeast of Litchfield.

Litchfield was named after a family of three brothers who helped finance construction of the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad through the area and in other parts of the state... E. Darwin Litchfield, Egbert E. Litchfield & Edwin C. Litchfield.

Marker donated by: American Legion Post 104

Erected by V.F.W. Post 2818 and American Legion Post 104.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1897.

Location. 45° 7.726′ N, 94° 31.674′ W. Marker is in Litchfield, Minnesota, in Meeker County. Marker is at the intersection of East 3rd Street and North Sibley Avenue (U.S. 12) on East 3rd Street. Marker is at Central Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Litchfield MN 55355, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured

Litchfield's Historic Downtown Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 24, 2013

2. Litchfield's Historic Downtown Marker

northeast side of marker

as the crow flies. G.A.R. Hall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Civil War Monument (approx. 1.3 miles away); Legion Memorial Park (approx. 1½ miles away); Ness Cemetery State Monument (approx. 4.4 miles away); Ness Lutheran Church (approx. 4.4 miles away); Site of Forest City Stockade (approx. 5.6 miles away); Forest City War Memorial (approx. 5.9 miles away); Andreas Olson (approx. 6.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Litchfield.

Also see . . . The Meeker County Historical Society Museum & G.A.R. Hall. The G.A.R. (Submitted on December 17, 2013.)

Grand Army of the Republic Hall / Litchfield's Historic Downtown Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 24, 2013

3. Grand Army of the Republic Hall / Litchfield's Historic Downtown Marker

Central Park

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 24, 2013

4. Grand Army of the Republic Hall / Litchfield's Historic Downtown Marker

Grand Army of the Republic Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 24, 2013

5. Grand Army of the Republic Hall

National Register of Historic Places #75000995

Central Park Fountain and Bandstand image. Click for full size.

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 24, 2013

6. Central Park Fountain and Bandstand

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,046 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 17, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.