Chariton - Civil War Soldier GPS Coordinates: 41.014683 by -93.307433

This is an attractive 25 foot monument on the SE corner of courthouse square, 916 Braden Avenue, in Chariton. It was erected in 1916 and has a GAR emblem on the front. The Union soldier is dressed in sack coat and slouch hat. The second photo shows the GAR flagpole - note the "GAR" weather vane on top of the flagpole. Thanks to Jim Braden for notification of this and the photo. The 3rd and 4th photos are from local historian Frank Myers - he reports that the flagpole was installed in 1908 in a different location and was a towering 105 feet high. It was decided in 1920 to move it to the Civil War monument. However, it was discovered that water had entered the top portion and rust damage required it to be sawn off to the present height. The GAR weather vane was re-attached. Also included is an old undated postcard thanks to Danny Krock - note the cannons shown at lower left and right which are missing in more recent photos. The cannons were scrapped in World War II.

Chariton - Lucas County Civil War Monument GPS Coordinates: 41.013500 by -93.309400

Over 700 men from Lucas County left to serve in the Civil War. 149 of them gave their lives and are shown on this impressive monument. There are a number of other monuments/memorials dedicated to Veterans from other Wars. Examples shown are a Purple Heart memorial and a replica of the bell from the USS Iowa. Thank you to Earl Comstock for providing information about this wonderful Veterans Park which has been completed in recent years. The Lucas County Veterans Memorial Park Committee has the overall responsibility. The location is at 1023 Linden Avenue just SW of the Chariton business district. Photos taken 6/13/20.

After I visited this site in June, 2020, artist Ray "Bubba" Sorensen painted a Freedom Rock in July, 2020. Shown in the final photo is Daniel Iseminger, Captain of Company B, 6th Iowa Infantry. He was killed at the battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862 and is buried in an unmarked grave at the National Cemetery there. The Chariton GAR Post No. 18 was named in his honor. Thanks to Jo Porter for information and the Lucas Countyan blog for information and the photo. Also, the Park recently included a mural showing young men from the area enlisting in WWII.

Russell - Veterans Monument GPS Coordinates: 40.980578 by -93.185842

This monument is dedicated to Veterans of all wars but also includes a small separate CW stone including a GAR marker. It is located by the flagpole in the SW area of the Russell Cemetery which is just east of town on Smith Street. Photos taken 7/23/14. Thanks to Steve Hanken for notification of the monument and photos.