Litchfield in Meeker County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
G.A.R. Hall
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 24, 2013
1. G.A.R. Hall Marker
The Grand Army of the Republic was an organization established in 1866 by Union veterans of the Civil War to preserve friendships, honor fallen comrades, and aid widows and the handicapped. It was wielded great political influence in the years just after the war. The G.A.R. last met in 1949 for its 83rd encampment; today there are no survivors of this organization.
One of the finest examples of the architecture inspired by this movement is Litchfield's Frank Daggett Post, No. 35, organized in 1883 and named to honor the founder of the G.A.R. association in Meeker County. Dedicated on Memorial Day, 1885, the Memorial Hall was designed to resemble a fort and included a public library and reading and museum rooms. A "neat tin box" placed in the building's cornerstone contains a Bible, the names of post members and community leaders, and such memorabilia as postage stamps, coins, and battlefield relics. An addition built in 1961 houses the Meeker County Historical Society Museum.
Erected 1970 by the Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations
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Location. 45° 7.75′ N, 94° 31.591′ W. Marker is in Litchfield, Minnesota, in Meeker County. Marker is on North Marshall Avenue north of East 3rd Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at the front of the Meeker County Historical Society Museum & G.A.R. Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 308 North Marshall Avenue, Litchfield MN 55355, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Grand Army of the Republic Hall / Litchfield's Historic Downtown (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Civil War Monument (approx. 1.3 miles away); Legion Memorial Park (approx. 1.6 miles away); Ness Cemetery State Monument (approx. 4.4 miles away); Ness Lutheran Church (approx. 4˝ miles away); Site of Forest City Stockade (approx. 5˝ miles away); Forest City War Memorial (approx. 5.9 miles away); Andreas Olson (approx. 6.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Litchfield.
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 24, 2013
2. G.A.R. Hall Marker
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 24, 2013
3. G.A.R. Hall and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 802 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 26, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
