Eaton Rapids G.A.R. Park - American Civil War Monuments and Memorials on Waymarking.com

From the City of Eaton Rapids website:

The James B. Brainerd Post of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) requested of City Council in 1908 that the Island be made in suitable condition for the annual encampment of the Eaton County Battalion of the G.A.R. This request was promptly granted and the battalion erected a tent city on the Island for one week every August until 1929 when there were too few veterans to carry on and the encampment was discontinued.

In 1909, the City agreed to name the Island G.A.R. Park. The Civil War Veterans wasted no time making improvements to the park. Two cannons were donated by the U.S. Government to the Brainerd Post, installed and dedicated to serve as “Silent Sentinels” in tribute to all those who served in the Civil War.

The cannons are known as Parrott rifles after Robert Parker Parrott who perfected a way to make strong cannon barrels from cast iron. They were manufactured at the West Point Foundry in West Point, New York. The large cannon on the south end of the Island was cast in 1862; it has a 6.4-inch bore and is known as a 100-pounder from the weight of the solid shot fired. The cannon on the north end is a 4.2-inch rifle that fired a 30-pound solid shot. They are authentic Civil War cannon.

In 1915, the G.A.R. Monument to “Our Fallen Heroes 1861-1865” was moved to the Park from its former place in Rose Hill Cemetery. The monument is cut from Vermont granite and was purchased in 1893 at a cost of $400.00.

Date Installed or Dedicated: 07/04/1915 Name of Government Entity or Private Organization that built the monument: Grand Army of the Republic Union, Confederate or Other Monument: Union Rating (1-5): Related Website: [Web Link] Photo or photos will be uploaded.: yes

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   11/08/2015 just for the fun visited it