Grand Army of the Republic Memorial (Siloam Springs, Arkansas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Grand Army of the Republic Memorial
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 Location in Arkansas
Location in the United States
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| Location | Southern end of Twin Springs Park, E of jct. of AR 43 and Twin Springs St., Siloam Springs, Arkansas |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1928 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| MPS | Civil War Commemorative Sculpture MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000506 |
| Added to NRHP | May 3, 1996 |
The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial is a special monument found in Twin Springs Park in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. It stands as a tribute to a group of American Civil War veterans. This memorial was built in 1928 and is the only one in Arkansas known to also mention the Women's Relief Corps, a group that supported the veterans.
Contents
What is the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial?
The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial is a tall, stone structure. It is located in the southern part of Twin Springs Park. It helps us remember important history and the people who were part of it.
What Does It Look Like?
The memorial starts with a concrete base. On top of this base are two flat layers of granite stone. These layers are placed one on top of the other. At the very top, there is a tall, upright granite column. The top of this column looks a bit like an onion.
Most sides of the stone layers and three sides of the column have a rough, natural look. This style is called "rusticated."
What Do the Engravings Mean?
One side of the column is smooth and has special pictures and words carved into it. From top to bottom, you can see:
- An upside-down five-pointed star with "GAR" inside. "GAR" stands for the Grand Army of the Republic.
- The words "IN GOD WE TRUST."
- A Maltese cross with "WOMEN'S RELIEF CORPS 1833" carved on it. This honors the women who helped the veterans.
- The words "ERECTED BY/CURTIS POST/1928." This tells us who built the memorial and when. "Curtis Post" was a local group of the Grand Army of the Republic.
- At the very bottom, there is a wreath with an eagle and crossed cannons. In the middle, it says "US," surrounded by "PRESERVED BY THE GRACE OF GOD." These symbols represent the United States military.
Why Was This Memorial Built?
This monument was created to honor the members of the Grand Army of the Republic. This was a very important organization for Union soldiers who fought in the American Civil War.
Honoring Veterans
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a group formed by soldiers who fought for the Union during the American Civil War (1861-1865). They helped each other and remembered their service. The Women's Relief Corps was a group of women who supported the GAR members and their families. They did a lot of good work for the community.
A Special Recognition
Because of its history and unique features, the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. This means it is recognized as an important historical site that should be protected.
