Iowa Civil War Monuments
Black Hawk County
Cedar Falls - Annie Wittenmyer Sculpture - GPS Coordinates: 42.515533 by -92.456883
This sculpture honors Annie Wittenmyer. A native of Keokuk, she was best known for founding the diet kitchens during the Civil War. After the war she was the founder of several orphanages in the state including one in Cedar Falls at the present site of the University of Northern Iowa. She also was the 1st President of the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union. The sculptor of this statue was Tom Gibbs and it was dedicated on April 20, 1996. Seven granite tablets were included to provide information about the life and accomplishments of Annie Wittenmyer. Five of these are shown below. Also on this web site are the Orphan's Monument in Cedar Falls and another orphanage location in Davenport in Scott County. The statue is located at the entrance to Lang Hall on the eastern edge of UNI. Thank you to Gary Lettow for notification of this monument. Photos taken 8/13/19.
Cedar Falls - Civil War Sculptures in Lang Hall - GPS Coordinates: 42.515667 by -92.457317
Two bas-relief sculptures adorn the wall near the entrance to the Auditorium in Lang Hall at the University of Northern Iowa. One is the 2nd Iowa Infantry Regiment at Fort Donelson. The other is titled "Triumphal Return". Both were cast from sculptures on the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Des Moines. These have been nicely restored and have a bronze appearance. Another similar cast of the original is located at Des Moines County Heritage Center in Burlington. Lang Hall is on the east edge of the UNI campus. Thanks to Gary Lettow for notification of these sculptures. Photos taken 2/1/12.
Cedar Falls - Civil War Soldier - GPS Coordinates: 42.540733 by -92.456000
This stunning monument at the entrance to the cemetery is unusual with the shape of the base and with the soldier holding a flag. It was dedicated in 1914. It is in Greenwood Cemetery in the north part of town. Take College Avenue from Highway 57 north to the cemetery. The first photo was taken 5/4/08. The second photo was taken 8/13/19.
Cedar Falls - James Brownell Memorial - GPS Coordinates: 42.542300 by -92.547384
Pvt. James Brownell was the first soldier from Black Hawk County killed in the Civil War. He was in Company K of the 3rd Iowa Infantry Regiment and was killed in the Battle of Blue Mills, Missouri on September 17, 1861. This granite monument, dedicated in 1937, is at his home site. Both the Cedar Falls GAR and WRC Posts were named in his honor. 150 years after his death, on September 17, 2011, a re-dedication ceremnoy was held in his honor led by SUVCW members. Participating in the ceremony were, from left, Jim Wolf, Kevin Pearson, and Tom Gaard. Take Highway 57 west out of Cedar Falls. The monument is about 1/4 mile west of the small community of Benson on the south side of the road. Photos taken 9/19/10 and 9/17/11.
Cedar Falls - Soldiers Orphans Monument - GPS Coordinates: 42.525900 by -92.461416
This is a 15 foot shaft with rose colored polished granite. According to legend, 13 children perished in a fire at the Cedar Falls Soldiers' Orphans' Home established by Annie Wittenmyer. They were buried in this area in Fairview Cemetery. These were children of Union soldiers. Other information indicates that they actually died in a measles epidemic in 1866. Their names are inscribed on the monument which was erected in 1876. The cemetery is off W 12th Street in the central part of Cedar Falls. Take the west entrance - the monument is straight ahead on the left side of the road. Photos taken 4/14/08. The last old photo is of the orphans home which became in 1876 the Iowa State Normal School - today it is known as the University of Northern Iowa. Thanks to Mike Rowley for information about this building.
La Porte City - Civil War Soldier - GPS Coordinates: 42.311266 by -92.170866
This monument is in good condition. It is 12 feet high and dedicated in 1898. The cemetery is on the east side of town. Take Bishop Avenue east off Highway 218. The first two photos were taken July 4, 2008 - the final photo on October 4, 2019.
Waterloo - Flagpole with Civil War Plaque - GPS Coordinates: 42.474850 by -92.358416
This plaque is located in Waterloo Cemetery. It is at an impressive position in the middle of the road at the north cemetery entrance. The plaque lists the CW soldiers buried in the cemetery. It was dedicated in 1957. The cemetery is in the southwest part of town. Take the north entrance off Kimball. Photos taken 8/13/19.
Waterloo - GAR Circle at Fairview Cemetery - GPS Coordinates: 42.509810 by -92.350300
The Major Robert Anderson #68 GAR Post purchased land for burials in 1898 at Fairview Cemetery. In 1901 a cannon was obtained and located in the middle of the burial circle. There are 11 Civil War Veterans buried here including one unknown soldier. The first two burials were in 1902. It is unknown what happened to the cannon - it is said it was removed for cleaning in the 1960's but never returned. The type of cannon was not specifically identified but an old newspaper article said it, "is six feet six inches long and weighs about 1300 pounds. It was made to carry a ball 3 1/2 inch in diameter." Thanks to Jo Porter for information about the GAR Circle including the soldiers buried there. For directions to Fairview - traveling on Highway 63 on the north side of Waterloo, turn west on Conger Street to the Cemetery.
Waterloo - Veterans Memorial Hall - GPS Coordinates: 42.495400 by -92.338283
This building was completed in 1915 and has been a meeting place for the GAR and many other veterans' organizations. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. The interior includes Civil War artifacts and a plaque with General John Logan's Memorial Day proclamation. Just outside the Hall is the Soldiers and Sailors Park along the west side of the Cedar River which includes a fountain dedicated to the Union Soldiers in the Civil War. The Hall is tucked between the large parking ramp on Commercial Street and the River. The first photo was taken 9/7/10, the others 8/13/19.
