Franklin County G. A. R. Soldiers' Memorial Hall (Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Franklin County G. A. R. Soldiers' Memorial Hall
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3 Federal St. N. Hampton, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1890 |
| Architect | Edward Carl Keifer |
| Architectural style | Octagon Mode |
| Part of | Hampton Double Square Historic District (ID03000834) |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001828 |
| Added to NRHP | December 13, 1991 |
The Franklin County G. A. R. Soldiers' Memorial Hall is a special old building in Hampton, Iowa. People also call it the Soldiers' Memorial Hall. It was built in 1890 by a person named Edward Carl Keifer.
This unique building has eight sides, like an octagon. It was once a meeting place for a group called the J.W. McKenzie Post No. 81. This group was part of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.).
What is the G.A.R.?
The Grand Army of the Republic, or G.A.R., was a group for soldiers who fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war ended in 1865, many soldiers wanted to stay connected. They formed the G.A.R. to support each other and remember their service.
There were many G.A.R. groups, called "posts," all over the United States. Iowa alone had 519 of these posts! The Hampton hall was built especially for the local G.A.R. members to meet.
A Special Building Design
The Soldiers' Memorial Hall is very important because of its design. It shows a style called Gothic Revival architecture. This style often includes pointed arches and tall windows, like old churches.
The building is shaped like a cross. On top, it has an eight-sided tower called a cupola. A statue of a Union soldier stands proudly on top of the cupola.
This hall was the very first G.A.R. Memorial Hall ever built in Iowa. This makes it a significant piece of history for the state.
How the Hall Was Built
Building a memorial hall like this needed special permission and money. In 1884, the Iowa legislature (which is like Iowa's government law-making body) passed a law. This law allowed counties to collect a special tax to help build G.A.R. memorials.
However, the local G.A.R. members in Hampton wanted a meeting hall, not just a memorial. So, Captain Rufus S. Benson, who was a local representative in the state government, helped change the law. In 1886, the law was updated to allow for the building of a memorial hall where the G.A.R. could meet. This change made the Hampton hall possible.
A Historic Landmark
The Franklin County G. A. R. Soldiers' Memorial Hall is recognized as a very important historical site. In 1991, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history.
Later, in 2003, the hall became part of the Hampton Double Square Historic District. This means it's one of many important buildings in a special historic area of Hampton.
