Veteran's Memorials

Researched and written by Ruth Ann Montgomery

Evansville has paid tribute to its fallen soldiers in a number of ways, parades, honor rolls, and a book about Evansville veterans was published after World War II. The city residents and organizations have also established permanent memorials to those who served in the nation's armed services.

The speaker's stand at the cemetery is used every memorial day in impressive ceremonies to honor the veterans buried at Maple Hill. It was designed and built in the late 1940s.

Legion Point:

The oldest monument is an historic old cannon at Legion Point in the Evansville City Park. The cannon was donated to the T. L. Sutphen Post, No. 41 of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1900 and placed on the City Hall lawn. Civil War soldiers and sailors of Rock County held a reunion on August 15, 1900 in Evansville. During the reunion, the cannon, a gift from the United States Naval department, was dedicated in memory of the heroic dead. The 330 point parrott gun was originally used for both naval and fortification service. It was given to the city with the provision that it not be fired due to danger to life and property. The cannon stood for many years on the grounds of the Evansville City Hall.

In August 1938, the cannon was moved to Legion Point. Workmen found imbedded in its original base the record of the gift from the United States Naval department; copies of four local newspapers and rosters of the local post of the G.A.R. and the Woman's Relief Corps.

FLAG POLE AT PARK

In June 1938, the City of Evansville was in the midst of extensive W.P.A. work to improve the Evansville Park. Local civic organizations, enthused about the progress, found this an opportune time to establish memorials. The Woman's Relief Corp had been organized in Evansville on September 15, 1885 as an auxiliary for the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). Through contributions of its members and friends the group purchased a new flagpole. Workmen placed it near the original Lake Leota bathhouse on the southeast side of the lake. A parade of local organizations, a drum corps, Boy Scouts, Woman's Relief Corps and Evansville's only surviving Civil War veteran, Gardner Babcock, led the participants to the new flag pole. Following speeches and the singing of patriotic songs, the Boy Scouts raised the flag. The crowd gathered for the ceremony saluted as the stars and stripes were raised.

Veterans Memorial Pool

By the 1950's Evansville people had served in seven of its country's wars, the War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II and the Korean War. The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars had replaced the GAR as the prominent veterans’ organizations and the two groups were the moving forces to establish memorials to service men and women. After more than nine years of political struggle, including passage of a referendum for a bond issue, the Evansville swimming pool was built as a memorial to Evansville's servicemen. The pool was dedicated in 1958 and immediately became a popular recreation site.

Library Memorial and Flag Pole

On June 25, 1981, the Eager Free Public Library Board gave final approval to allow the Veterans of Foreign Wars to install a stone memorial and flag pole in front of the library. The VFW members began the work to set the memorial in place. Steel from a part of the 50 year-old viaduct that was being removed from North Madison Street was used in the foundation. Francis Cook found the stone, with a hard granite-like surface and a perfect flat face for the plaque, on the James Larson farm. A light was installed so that the flag could be flown day and night. Many local veterans, including those from the VFW and the American Legion, took part in the July 4, 1981 ceremonies to dedicate the memorial. The marker is a natural stone with an 18x24" bronze table inscribed with the words "Dedicated to those who served their country from Evansville and area."

AMERICAN LEGION M-47 PATTON TANK

On July 4, 1988, a large crowd gathered for an impressive ceremony to dedicate the M-47 Patton Tank donated to the Evansville American Legion by the United States Army. The M-47 tank weighs 95,000 and was placed at the North Madison entrance to the city. It took more than three years of planning to bring the tank to Evansville. Congressman Les Aspin assisted the local American Legion in obtaining the tank from Alabama and was present at the ceremony. The Monroe National Guard transported the tank for the local American Legion. Military units from Monroe and several other cities were present at the dedication. Evansville American Legion Commander Charles Nordeng dedicated the tank memorial to all American veterans, living and dead, who have helped to preserve our great nation and keep peace throughout the world.