Confederate Monument in Georgetown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Confederate Monument in Georgetown
|
|
 |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | Georgetown, Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Built | 1888 |
| MPS | Civil War Monuments of Kentucky MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000669 |
| Added to NRHP | July 17, 1997 |
The Confederate Monument in Georgetown is a special stone monument located inside the Georgetown Cemetery in Georgetown, Kentucky. It's a tall, unpolished granite obelisk (a four-sided pillar that gets narrower at the top) that stands twenty feet high. Around the monument are the graves of eighteen soldiers who fought for the Confederacy during the American Civil War.
The monument has different carvings, called reliefs, on its sides. These carvings show things like crossed cannons, crossed muskets, a drum, and flags. This monument was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 17, 1997. This means it's recognized as an important historical site in the United States. It is part of a larger group of monuments called the Civil War Monuments of Kentucky Multiple Property Submission.
Remembering the Past
The monument was officially dedicated in June 1888. A group called the Ladies Monument Association, along with women from Scott County, Kentucky, worked hard to raise the money needed to build it. They also arranged for eighteen fallen Confederate soldiers, whose graves were scattered around the county, to be reburied around the monument. This was a common way to honor soldiers at other monuments in Kentucky. Some of these soldiers had died in very difficult circumstances during the war.
The dedication ceremony was led by Dr. John A. Lewis. Before the ceremony, there was a large parade. Thousands of people from all over Kentucky came to attend this important event.
Scott County's Role
During the Civil War, Scott County played a significant part. About 1,000 troops from Scott County joined the Confederate Army. In comparison, only 118 men from the county joined the Union Army.
An important historical figure, George Johnson, is also buried in the Georgetown Cemetery. He was one of two Confederate governors of Kentucky. Sadly, he was killed by a stray bullet during the Battle of Shiloh.
About Georgetown Cemetery
The Georgetown Cemetery itself is a very historic place, even though it's not on the National Register of Historic Places. It's known for its beautiful monuments from the Victorian era. The cemetery was first established in 1850, and its 31 acres were fully set up by 1860.
Many graves in the cemetery are even older than its official founding date. These graves were moved to the cemetery after it was created. Besides George Johnson, two other former Kentucky governors are buried here: Joseph Desha and James F. Robinson.
Gallery
-
A close-up view of the flag carving on the monument.
