Parsons Burlingame Fort Scott Manhattan Marion Yates Center

KANSAS, THE SOLDIER STATE

Kansas is known as a Soldier state due to the very large number of Civil War Veterans who settled here. Almost all communities supported a camp of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.). It was typical for those camps to sponsor or erect monuments to honor the Civil War Soldier whether lost during the war or as a returned Veteran. The Women's Relief Corps (W.R.C.), Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic (L.G.A.R.), and others also erected memorials and monuments. Many county court house squares, City Parks, and local cemeteries are so honored. This listing preserves the memory of those Civil War Memorials and Monuments located in Kansas.


TYPES OF MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS

Memorials may be in any of a number of styles, sizes, materials, and dedications. They may be markers in cemeteries, pavilions, statues, bronze tablets, cannons, drinking fountains, benches, or buildings. Dedications may be very specific ("to those who died in the battle of Westport") all inclusive ("to those who served their country"), or may just be a saying ("lest we forget"). They may be closely identified with one of the service groups ("dedicated by Post 216, G.A.R.") or have no identification. They may be at County Courthouses, City Parks, Cemeteries (both large and small), schools, or almost anyplace. This list organizes memorials into the following categories:


Primary Memorials

Parsons Herrington McPherson Elmdale Lincoln

These memorials have a direct lineage to the Civil War veteran. They may have been directly sponsored or erected by the G.A.R., W.R.C., or L.G.A.R. They may have been dedicated by others as honoring the Civil War Soldier. They are similar to other Primary Memorials. These memorials are of direct interest to the SUVCW.


Secondary Memorials

Clay Center Iola Dextert Gove Greensburg

These memorials are not of direct Civil War lineage but do include the Civil War Soldier by direct reference or by providing honor to "all those who have served our country". They honor the soldier from all wars. These memorials, while not of direct linkage to the SUVCW, are included here because of the honor they render to the soldiers. Also, in some Kansas counties there have been no primary Civil War memorials located. Listing the secondary memorials indicates that the locale has been surveyed.


Incomplete Records

These memorials may ultimately be primary, secondary, or not related to the Civil War, but, at present, there are unresolved questions regarding them:

  • The monument closely resembles other Civil War related monuments but there is no information on the monument itself that identifies it. Local research about the origin and sponsor of such a monument is needed.
  • A large area may not be represented. Loga, Scott, and Wichita counties have no identified memorials of either primary or secondary type. Additional searching is required to determine that nothing has been missed.
As time permits, these questions will be resolved. If you can help on any of these, please offer any information you may have. Follow the Incomplete Records link for more detail.


Gone But Not Forgotten

Documentation has been found on a number of memorials that no longer exist. While the memorial is gone, the memory lingers on. Follow the Gone But Not Forgotten link for more detail.



MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS LISTINGS



Memorials can be accessed in any of four different listings:

Towns
The town closest to each monument is listed alphabetically. When there are more than one memorials in any town, this selection will go to the first one. The others will follow.

Counties
Kansas has 105 counties. Most of these have multiple memorials. Selection of a county will link to the first town in that county. The rest of the entries for that county follow.

State
A map of Kansas presents each county. Clicking on the county will link to the listings for that county.

Live-Map
Microsoft has a wonderful mapping facility. All memorials (Primary and Secondary) are identified by colored pushpins on this map. Selecting an individual pin shows a thumbnail picture, a very brief summary, and a selection to go to the detailed listing. The map can be zoomed in so much that, in some places like Kansas City, the individual memorial can be identified in a birds eye view. Note that there are entries for "Primary" and "Primary 2". These are all of the same type but the software limits the number that can be in any single category. Thus "Primary 2" is the overflow of Primary documents.



SUVCW MEMORIALS AND MONUMENTS PROJECT


One of the important purposes and goals of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) is to honor the memory of our Civil War Veterans. We in Kansas are fortunate to have a number of outstanding monuments, memorials, and outdoor sculpture to serve as the focus for these remembrances. Many of these owe their existence to the local citizens of each town, city, or county that chose to erect a memorial. Unfortunately, neither the G.A.R. nor the local environs maintained comprehensive records of the location and description of their contributions.

As legal heir to the G.A.R., the preservation of Civil War memorials is one of the most important purposes of the SUVCW. The Civil War / GAR Memorials Cataloging Program has the goal to physically search out inspect and catalog each and every GAR memorial that can be found. Once a GAR monument or Civil War related memorial (of any size/design) is identified, the committee requests the preparation and submission of a Civil War Memorials Assessment Form (CWM #61) to record information such as location, description, physical details, condition, environmental factors, and local contacts. This will minimize the chance of any memorial being overlooked and more importantly, identify any professional restoration work that may be necessary - due to the effects of nature or vandalism. With proper care, these monuments will continue to stand in tribute to those who saved the Union during the conflict of 1861 to 1865.

A copy of the Assessment Form is available at: Civil War Memorials Assessment Form (CWM #61)



Memorial Documentation

Only a few of the Kansas memorials are completely identified with CWM#61 forms. These are listed below. It is the plan to extend this list to include all of the major memorials that have been found. Links are provided to the individual description of the monument, the submitted CWM#61 form and, where available, the nomination form for Listing in the National Register of Historic Places

LOCATION

PHOTO

DOCUMENTATION

Soldier and Sailors Monument


1st and Walnut,
Hutchinson,
Reno County

Coordinates:
38.053492, -97.930078

Refer to Hutchinson, Reno County entry for related information.
Hutch Monument
SUVCW CWM #61 form on file:
Soldier and Sailors Monument CWM#61

National Register Nomination on file:
Soldier and Sailors Monument National Register

Pioneer Cemetery


(old Oread Cemetery)
Constant Avenue at Irving Hill Rd
KU Campus
Lawrence,
Douglas County

Coordinates
38.953139, -95.261720

Refer to Lawrence, Douglas County entry for related information.
Hutch Monument
SUVCW CWM #61 form on file:
Pioneer Cemetery Monument CWM#61

Recruits Marker


700 Block, New Hampshire Street
Lawrence,
Douglas County

Coordinates
38.970594, -95.235159

Refer to Lawrence, Douglas County entry for related information.
Lawrence Recuits
SUVCW CWM #61 form on file:
Union Recuits Marker CWM#61

Civil War Monument


Hillside Cemetery (NW of town) Kinsley, Edwards County


Coordinates: 37.936242, -99.448439

Refer to Kinsley,Edwards County entry for related information.
Kinsley Monument
SUVCW CWM #61 form on file:
Kinsley CW Monument CWM#61

National Register Nomination on file:
Kinsley CW Monument National Register





OTHER RECOGNITIONS


Cemetery


It is impossible to visit cemeteries without noticing the gravestones and cast medallions that reference the G.A.R. and the W.R.C. There are also many headstones that show pride in G.A.R. membership. While these are not the same level of Civil War Memorials as recorded above, they do provide significant honor and interest. To view these recognitions, click here:

Recognitions




REFERENCES AND CONTRIBUTORS


Lest We Forget

Many people and many documents have contributed to the creation and maintenance of this memorials listing. They all need to be recognized and thanked for their contribution.

List of Contributors, References, and Links



SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR - DEPARTMENT OF KANSAS
Civil War Memorials Officer - Douglas E. McGovern
demcgovern@vintage-visuals.com


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