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The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a nationwide organization of Union veterans from the Civil War. Founded in Illinois in 1866, the group had over 400,000 members by 1890, and grew from a fraternal organization to a political force.


GAR medal from the Museum's collection.
In the days before formal veterans' organizations and legislation, the GAR founded soldiers' homes and lobbied for pension reform. Five presidents of the United Statescame from their membership, and, at one time, the GAR's voting block was so strong they held sway over the Republican ticket.

Meeting rituals were similar to Masonic rites. In 1868, the group issued an order to their membership to set aside May 30th as a day of remembrance for fallen comrades, which eventually became Memorial Day. Annual encampments were held each year to administer the business of the group.


Photo of Lucius Fairchild from the University of Wisconsin's Archives
Many communities throughout the U.S. had local posts, including Pacific Grove's Lucius Fairchild Post #179. Fairchild had come to California when he was 18, and spent six years in the gold fields. During the Civil War, he saw action at Bull Run and Antietam, and lost his left arm at Gettysburg. Later, he served six terms as Governor of Wisconsin, and held diplomatic posts in England, France, and Spain.


Still life: Bristol glass vase with snowball flowers next to open presentation box with large abalone shell. Shell polished to pearl luster, has invitation to GAR encampment printed: "The citizens of Pacific Grove request the presence of President and Mrs. McKinley at the camp fire given in honor of the DEPARTMENT ENCAMPMENT GAR May 11, 1901."
c. 1901. #17.3-565-I from the Museum's Tuttle Collection.
President William McKinley visited Pacific Grove during the 34th Encampment in May 1901. Four months later, he was assassinated at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York.


The El Carmelo Hotel decked out for President McKinley's visit. Band stand, bunting, flags, stage in front garden.
May 10, 1901, Friday, 4:45 p.m. #18.1-569-B from the Museum's Tuttle Collection.


Stage built over plants in garden out front of El Carmelo Hotel. Bunting and drapery decorations for President McKinley's visit. Also visible, Old Parlor (sign above left door).The Old Parlor building was later renovated with a Spanish-style facade, and served as the home of Edward F. Ricketts' Pacific Biological Laboratories from 1924-1928. It was then razed for the La Porte furniture/auction house, which now (2005) stands at the corner of Fountain & Ricketts Row.
May 10, 1901, Friday, 4:30 p.m. #: 17.3-563-B from the Museum's Tuttle Collection.


Crowd of people around President McKinley on Lighthouse Avenue, at Grand Avenue.
Pacific Improvement office at left, and cabins from El Carmelo Hotel visible.
McKinley stands near water fountain, and his head is bowed, nearby men removing hats.
May 1901. #16.2-536-PB from the Museum's Tuttle Collection.
The Encampment was marked with much fanfare in Pacific Grove, and many of the buildings along McKinley's route were dressed in patriotic splendor.


Tuttle Drug Store exterior (and neighboring bicycle shop and grocers) decked out for visit of
President McKinley and GAR encampment. Image of McKinley on building and in left display window.
May 12, 1901, Sunday, 10:00 a.m.#17.3-567-BP from the Museum's Tuttle Collection.


Looking west down Lighthouse Avenue at Forest Avenue, approximately 20 GAR veterans on parade.
Street unpaved, streetcar tracks. Culp Bros, N.A. Roth Dry Goods, Golden Rule Bazaar, and other business signs.
c. 1905. #17.3-564-PB, from the Museum's Tuttle Collection.


Eight veterans gather around raised flag on Lighthouse Avenue, between Grand and Forest avenues.
Most wear GAR medals (Grand Army of the Republic, and organization of Union Civil War veterans).
Wooden framework of Holman's Department Store under construction in background.
May 30, 1924. #33.1-608-BP from the Museum's Tuttle Collection.
On May 28, 1935, the last remaining member of the local GAR Post died. James Harvey King mustered out of this life at age 87, two days before Memorial Day.
With the passage of time, the GAR came to an inevitable end. The final GAR encampment was held in Indiana in 1949 with six veterans, and the last national member, Albert Woolson, died at age 109 in 1956.


GAR medals on display during the exhibit (from the Museum's collection).
Page created August 24, 2005. Last updated September 7, 2005.
Page copyright 2005 by the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.
Photos from this online exhibit may not be used without permission of the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.