Ever since the men left Michigan to serve, their families and communities have looked for ways to honor their service. After the war ended, veteran's formed the Grand Army of the Republic, a veteran's organization. It also took up the work of commemorating and honoring the service, both for the veterans and especially for the comrades left behind killed, wounded and missing. That work was also carried by their descendants, even to today.
One of the ways to commemorate and honor the service is the erecting of monuments. In recent history, much of this work has been organized through Michigan's historical markers. There are so many of them that we have a separate page dedicated to them. Be sure to visit our Historical Markers page to see them.
Before that effort started, each community or organization often erected their own monuments, each in keeping with their own ideas - and funding ability. Across the state, in large cities and small villages alike, monuments were raised to the men who served in the Civil War. Visiting them can be a tangible way to commemorate our state's part of the struggle, and see a good part of Michigan at the same time! Here we provide photos and a much information on each as we can.
Do you know of a monument we've missed? Please go to our Contact Us page. Shoot us an email and let us know so we can update and improve this site. Thanks!
Below you will find monuments that are erected in the following cities:
- Adrian
- Battle Creek
- Detroit
- Dexter
- Flint
- Fowlerville
- Galesburg
- Ionia
- Jackson
- Howell
- Lansing
- Marlette and Cheney Park
- Marshall
- Milford
- Monroe
- New Buffalo
- Port Huron
- Plymouth
- Roscommon
- Williamston
Adrian
Monument Park
Memorial Park is located along Church Street in Adrian, MI. Originally dedicated for Civil War Veterans, you can now find various markers dedicated to the men and women from many US conflicts. At the center of it is the Civil War Monument, dedicated in 1870. There are 8 Plaques on it that name the men from Adrian who died in service during the war. It is flanked by four cannon, two of which have maker's marks on them. If you are in the Adrian area, this should be a place you visit.
Battle Creek
GAR Monument
The Soldiers and Sailors Monument was dedicated in 1901. It is located where E. Michigan and Washington Ave. and Van Buren Street intersect.
Sojurner Truth Monument
Sojourner Truth lived in Battle Creek for part of her life. In Monument Park, at the end of Sojourner Truth Downtown Parkway is a large monument dedicated to her memory. It includes several descriptive tablets, a sculpture of her and a sample of her signature.
Detroit
The Black Presence in Detroit
This monument was erected much more recently than others. It tells the story of the African American expereince in Detroit. This experience has a proud history through the Civil War years as freedom was achieved - with the help of a regiment of African American soldiers from Michigan.
It is located next to the Jewish American Soldiers in the Civil War in the William G. Milliken State Park, 1900 Atwater St, Detroit MI.
Historic Fort Wayne
This marker was placed on the scarp, or outside, wall of Historic Fort Wayne in 1950 to honor it's conversion to a museum from an active army post in 1949. It was given in that honor to the City of Detroit by the J. L. Hudson Company. It is mounted next to the sally port entrance to the fort, which was the original entrance.
Historic Fort Wayne is located at 6325 Jefferson, Detroit.
Dexter
GAR Monument
This GAR placed monument is located downtown Dexter in the park located at the intersection of Baker Road and Main Street. The text reads:
Erected by the Citizens of Dexter and vicinity, in memory of the heroes who fought and the martyrs who died that the Republic might live.
Dedicated may 30, 1898
Cannon
Behind VFW post 557, located at 8225 Dexter-Chelsea Road is a Parrott cannon. It was orignally presented to the Harrison Jefford GAR Post No. 330. The cannon and it's pedastal have had some updating done over the years to make sure the gun is cared for and the message of dedication continues to be read to this day.
Colonel Jefford's Grave
Colonel Jeffords was in command of the 4th Michigan Infantry at Gettysburg when we was killed in the Wheatfield by a bayonet. He is the highest ranking man in either army to be killed by a bayonet while trying to retrieve the regiment's flag.
He is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetry along with many veterans from the Civil War and other conflicts. It is located at 8000 Grand Street.
Flint
10th Michigan Infantry
Erected in 1917, this monument tells the story of the men of the 10th Michigan Infantry Regiment. It is located on the green of the Genesee County Courthouse Grounds at 900 S. Saginaw Street in Flint, MI. In the first photo, you can see the Sarah Emma Edmonds historical marker behind it. There is also a historical marker on resisitng slavery in the same green.
Fowlerville
This Civil War monument can be found in Greenwood Cemetery at 4350 Cemetery Road, Fowlerville, MI 48836
Galesburg
William Rufus Shafter Monument
Erected in 1919, this monument is dedicated to hometown son William Shafter. He first entered service in the 7th Michigan. While in the 7th, his service at Fair Oaks would earn him the Congressional Medal of Honor. He retired from the army a Major General in 1901 having served in the Civil War, Indian Wars and Spanish-American War. At the foot of the main monument is a small marker remembering the USS Maine, sunk in the Spanish-American War.
This monument is located in downtown Galesburg on Michigan Avenue. It can be visited by exiting I-94 at Exit 85 and heading north. The monument is less than 5 minutes off the highway.
Ionia
GAR Monument
This is one of three monuments erected to the memory of Civil War soldier in the Ionia County Courthouse. A smaller marker can also be seen in the first picture. While you visit here, be sure if the court is open to go inside and see one of the 21st Michigan Infantry's battle flags.
GAR Post Memorial
Most likely given by their children (as members of the Sons of Union Veterans) this monument remembers the veteran's of the Civil War who came home and created a GAR Post and since have passed.
Alonzo Woodruff Monument
Alanzo Woodruff won the Medal of Honor during the battle of Hatcher's Run in 1864. The Civil War is the first war American awarded the Medal of Honor during. This monument is erected to Woodruff's memory.
Howell
GAR Monument
Located in the Lakeview Cemetery (formerly Howell Cemetery) at 920 Roosevelt St., Howell, MI 48843.
Jackson
Withington Park Monument
Given to the city of Jackson in 1903 by one of it's prominent citizens, this monument can be seen in Jackson's downtown. Though it they didn't photograph very well, the poem reads:
"Aloft in the din of the battle
calls the flag when the bugle sounds dumb
now bidding give life but yield never
now charge for the moment is come"
The next plate reads:
"Jackson County contributed to the Army and Navy in the War for the Union 3237 Men"
GAR Post 48 dedication marker
This marker is erected in front of the First Congregational Church at 120 N Jackson, Jackson MI. It was dedicated to the GAR post in Jackson by the organizations of their descendents.
Evans Memorial
Located in Mount Evergreen Cemetery, this monuent is located next to many veteran's graves. It was dedicated in 1916.
The cemetery is located at the intersection of Greenwood Ave.and Morrell Street in Jackson, MI.
Lansing
Governor Blair monument
Located directly in front of the Capitol buliding, this monument is dedicated to Michigan's wartime governor, Austin Blair. It is on the same green as the 1st Michigan Engineer's monument and 1st Michigan Sharpshooter's monument and in easy walking distance of the Michigan Historical Museum.
The monument is directly in front of the intersection of E. Michigan Ave. and N. Capitol Ave.
1st Michigan Engineers Monument
Also on the Capitol green in Lansing is a monument dedicated to the men of the 1st Michigan Engineers.
1st Michigan Sharpshooters Monument
Erected in 1915, this monument is also on the Capitol green.
Marlette and Cheney Memorial Park
There is a cannon located in front of Marlette District Public library is located at 3116 Main St, Marlette, MI 48453 (at the corner of Ervin and Main Streets). It has been part of Marlette history since it was brought there in 1899 from Fort Monroe, Virginia. It was obtained by the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), which was the William Rudd Post. The cannon was cast in 1859, as noted by the marking on it.
Main Street in Marlette is also known as M-53. This monument is easily viewable from the road.
16 miles south of the Marlette cannon is the Cheney Memorial Park. It is located in front of the West Goodland United Methodist Church on the east side of the road. The church’s address is 2008 North Van Dyke Road Imlay City , MI 48444. The cannon placed in the middle of the park was dedicated in 1930 to the memory of Battery M, 1st Michigan Light Artillery.
Van Dyke Road is also known as M-53. The monument is easily viewable from the road or you can pull off and visit the small park.
Marshall
1st Michigan Engineers Marker
Dedicated in 1911, this marker is currently located outside the GAR at the intersection of This marker is located on East Michigan at Exchange in Marshall.
Milford
GAR Post 181 monument
Dedicated in 1924, this marker stands watch in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Now, a green state historical marker is placed by it's side. Find it at 1055 Garden St, Milford MI.
Monroe
Soldier's and Sailor's Park
Located along the River Raisin on East Front Street, the park was dedicated in 1923. This marker introduces a guest to the history of the park. The Custer Statue was originally located in this park. There are now four markers, including this one and another informational marker, the Monroe County Civil War Fallen Soldiers Memorial and the Joseph R. Smith, GAR Post #76 plaque.
The Monroe County Civil War Fallen Soldiers Memorial was dedicated in 2012 and is located in the park. It is a beautiful memorial and worth visitng by itself.
View of the fronts of the left and right sides of the marker, respectively, are on the top row. The lower image is the bottom of the center panel. Below an engraving of a Civil War soldier is the list of eight men from Monroe County who won the Medal of Honor for action in the Civil War.
Famous men from Monroe County have their service records memorialized on the back of the Memorial.
This marker tells the story of Monroe County in the Civil War on one side and about the GAR on the other side.
Marker laid to remember members of the local GAR Post and WRC from the area.
Sighting the Enemy - George Custer Statue
This statue sits in the corner of Elm and Monroe street. This is it's third location and has been here since 1955. There are two histroic markers in the plaza along with the statue. One is a state marker, the other placed by the county.
Text is the same on both sides.
Camp Monroe
We are blessed to have several sites significant to the Civil War still with us. Others, like Camp Monroe, have allowed for the progress of time. Located in a residential district at St. Mary's Avenue and Lorain Street, this marker notes the site of Camp Monroe, mustering point of the 7th and 15th Michigan Infantry Regiments as well as Battery H of 1st Michigan Light Artillery.
New Buffalo
24th Michigan/Iron Brigade Marker
With part of I-94 dedicated to the the Iron Briagde, the Sons of Union Veterans, MOLLUS and the 24th Michigan re-eanctment group got together in 1994 and erected a marker telling the story of the service of the 24th and Iron Brigade. They placed this at New Buffalo Welcome Center on I-94, just in Michigan from Indiana.
Port Huron
GAR Monument
This beautiful structure can be viewed in Pine Grove Park in the northern part of Port Huron, very near the water.
Plymouth
Plymouth Civil War Monument
Plymouth Rock
Plymouth All War Monument
These monuments are all located in Veteran's Park at the corner of Church & Main street. This park is across the street from the Plymouth Historical Museum (hint, hint when planning a visit!).
Roscommon
Roscommon Civil War Veteran’s Monument – rededicated in 2013 to further honor all service members from 1913 to 2013 as well. In front of Roscommon County building located at 500 Lake Street, Roscommon, MI 48653. It is easily viewed from the road.
Here is link to a local article detailing the rededication of the monument.
Williamston
This monument can be seen in front of the Willimaston City Hall located at 161 E. Grand River Ave., Williamston, MI 48895.