GAR Memorial Building - Aurora, Illinois
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 41° 45.405 W 088° 18.950
16T E 390610 N 4623605
Civil War Memorial in Aurora, Illinois.
Waymark Code: WM1B4W
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 03/21/2007
Views: 75
"The GAR Memorial Hall, Aurora Post 20 was constructed in 1878, with funds
raised by citizens of Aurora. It was built as a monument to Aurora’s Civil War
veterans and as a shrine to their fallen comrades. It also served as a veteran’s
meeting hall and as Aurora’s first free public library.
Over the course of 60 years Aurora Post 20 boasted a membership of more than
700 Civil War veterans, representing 70 Illinois regiments. By 1939, however,
membership was dwindling, and Daniel Wedge, a past commander of Post 20
organized the GAR Memorial Association. Wedge passed away in 1947 on his 106th
birthday, the last surviving member of Post 20. The GAR Memorial Association,
which consists of descendants of Post 20, still exists to this day.
The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall was designed in the Gothic
Revival style by Aurora architect Joseph P. Mulvey. It was constructed of
rock-faced, ashlar laid limestone, which was quarried in Aurora. The original
GAR building consisted of the octagonal structure only. In 1885 a two-story
addition, also designed by Mulvey, was added at the southwest corner of the
building. This served as additional library and meeting space. The stair tower
was added in 1904-1906. In 1963 the 1885 addition was demolished. The remaining
octagonal building and stair tower were preserved and today the GAR Memorial
Hall, purchased by the City of Aurora in 1964 is listed on the National Register
of Historic Places." ~ City of Aurora website