Waukon - Allamakee County Freedom Rock - GPS Coordinates: 43.256500 by -91.474083

This Freedom Rock honors Civil War soldiers David Reed (1841-1916) of Waukon and James Gilbert {1824-1884) of Lansing.

Reed entered the war as a Private in the 12th Iowa Infantry Regiment. He was wounded at Shiloh where the Regiment fought in the Hornet's Nest. He fought in numerous engagements in the war and was mustered out as a Major. After the war, he returned to Waukon and served as Postmaster and County Recorder. In 1895 he became the Historian at the Shiloh National Park for many years and received much acclaim for marking the positions of regiments and the numerous monuments.

Gilbert was a liveryman, lumberman, and Indian trader who settled in Iowa in 1851 and was a founder of the town of Lansing. He was appointed the Colonel of the 27th Iowa Infantry Regiment, being involved in numerous battles west of the Mississippi and, later in the war, at Nashville and around Mobile. He was promoted to the Brigade level and was breveted as a Major General at the end of the war. After the war, he returned to Iowa and continued in the lumber business.

The Freedom Rock was painted by Ray "Bubba" Sorensen. It is located on the east edge of Waukon City Park on the south side of town. Thanks to Jo Porter for information about this monument. The left side of the Rock in the second photo honors Arthur Brandt and Hugh Kidder, both killed in WWI. Photos taken 6/3/21.