One of the most iconic fixtures of Junction City is the Grand
Army of the Republic arch in Heritage Park. It shows pride in our community and
pride in our soldiers. But how many of
you know how it came to be?
The story is rather heartwarming as you realize how our
pioneer community pulled together to build a monument to the “soldiers and
sailors killed in the War of the Rebellion” 1861-1865 more commonly known as
the Civil War. It all started in the summer of 1897 when it was announced that
5th District G.A.R. reunion would be held in Junction City in
September of 1898.
By September of 1897 it was announced that F.A. Gardner,
army architect at Ft. Riley, had drawn up a plan for the monument that was
accepted by G.R.A post #132. “The monument is to be an arched design…built of
native stone crowning the substructure with a copper-bronze statue of a
volunteer solider, 8 feet high” the total height of the monument would be approximately
35 feet. A sketch of the memorial was reproduced in the 1900 Junction City High
School yearbook. It depicts cannon on the right side of the solider and stacked
arms on the left.
It is interesting to
note that when the memorial was erected rifles were originally displayed in
stack arms, rifles standing on their stock in a tipi shape on either side of
the solider. However these proved dangerous during windy days and were soon taken
down.
The cost of the memorial was expected to be between $1,600
and $1,800. The community quickly banded together to raise the funds. John
Davidson, who had served as a Major during the Civil War, was in charge of fund
raising. Community leaders and businessmen pledged between $10 and $25 for the
memorial. Churches and lodges sold “monument buttons” with the proceeds going
towards the monument. The largest donation came from the local school children
who raised $116 in coins.
The stone was quarried right here in Geary County. Resident
stone workers constructed and shaped each stone under the direction of local
contractors Ziegler and Dalton. The entire project was funded and carried out
by residents of Geary County.
By the summer of 1898 residents efforts had paid in
dividends. The cornerstone was laid during the 4th of July
celebration. Inside was placed a box with items to inform the future of the
events of 1898 such as a copy of the Daily Union, letters, mementoes of the
construction of the monument and a dispatch announcing the destruction of
Cervera’s fleet as well as the capture of Santiago.
Workmen hurried to finish the memorial for the dedication
and unveiling scheduled for September 9, 1898. The town was a frenzy of
activity preparing for the G.A.R. reunion and the unveiling of the monument. A
large tent was erected in the center of the park for the soldiers programs.
Merchants up and down Washington Street decorated their windows with patriotic
scenes. The local Women’s Relief Corps organized meals for the veterans. Rooms were secured free of charge to the
soldiers at the Bartell House across the street from the park.
On the day of the unveiling school was dismissed so the
students could attend the ceremony. They had worked so hard to raise funding
for the monument that it would have been a shame for them to miss the
unveiling. 1200 students, dressed in
their Sunday best, waving American flags led the parade down Washington Street
to the Park.
Major Davidson opened the ceremony and presented the
Memorial Arch to the G.A.R. post #132. Dr. J.K. Miller of the Methodist
Episcopal church gave a dedication prayer and the school children, accompanied
by the city band sang “America” and the” Battle hymn of the Republic”. As the
program wound to a close Cora Davidson pulled the cord to unveil the silent
solider that stood guard over the memorial.
Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate for the
remainder of the reunion and rained out many of the scheduled activities. However, the community rallied for the
veterans by securing the Methodist and Presbyterian churches for the remainder
of the activities.
Next time you are walking in Heritage Park take a minute to
admire the memorial and remember those that came before us.
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