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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 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.
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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 and to preserve the American tradition
of Memorial Day. We in Kansas are fortunate to
have a number of outstanding monuments,
memorials, and outdoor sculpture to serve as
the focus for these (and other) celebrations
and remembrances.
Over the years, much has been done by others
to identify G.A.R. monuments and Civil War-related
memorials erected by other parties. The effort
being put forth by the SUVCW is unique because
of the following points. With the help of our
Departments across the country, and the local
Camps within them, the SUVCW will physically
search out and inspect each and every memorial
that can be found. 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. Realizing
that anything "on-the-books" is dated
information, the SUVCW will continue to
regularly inspect memorials so that our data
remains current. Another important aspect of
this project, is to contact the public
authorities and private property owners tied to
the sites that these memorials stand on, and
inform them of the GAR - SUVCW Deed of
Conveyance. Notice of the SUVCW's legal
interests should put an end to the removal
and/or sale of Civil War cannon from
memorials!
As legal heir to the G.A.R., the preservation of
these monuments and memorials is one of the
most important purposes of the SUVCW! With
proper care, these monuments will continue to
stand in tribute to those who saved the Union
during the conflict of 1861 to 1865.
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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 the way to 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
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
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.
Under Review
These memorials may ultimately be
either primary or secondary but, at present, there is at least one
unresolved question regarding them:
The location may not be certain.
Photographs may be needed.
Inscriptions may need to be recorded.
As time permits, these questions will be resolved. If you can help
on any of these, please offer any information you may have.
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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, Secondary, and Under Review) are identified
by colored pushpins on this map. 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. Selecting an individual
pin shows a thumbnail picture, a very brief summary, and a selection
to go to the detailed listing.
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OTHER RECOGNITIONS
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:
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REFERENCES AND CONTRIBUTORS
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.
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SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR - DEPARTMENT OF KANSAS
Civil War Memorials Officer - Douglas E. McGovern
demcgovern@aol.com
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