Top 8 Civil War Monuments In Michigan

As many as 700,000 lives ended during the American Civil War. Of that number, the state of Michigan contributed over 90,000 soldiers to the cause, with 14,753 Michigan casualties. Mothers sent their sons into the battles of Gettysburg, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga, among others. While far too few of those brave men made it home, their memories live on through memorials dotting the state of Michigan. History is littered with the forgotten names of soldiers who fell in battle, as well as the forgotten names of those who tried to be a beacon of light in the dark theater of war.

Michigan Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, Detroit

The Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument sits proudly in front of the One Campus Martius Building in the heart of downtown Detroit. Unveiled in 1872, the monument by sculptor Randolph Rogers commemorates Michigan’s brave soldiers and sailors who tragically lost their lives during the American Civil War. Upon the statue’s unveiling, Generals George Armstrong Custer, Ambrose Burnside, and Philip Sheridan were in attendance to pay their respects.

Standing 60 feet tall, the multi-tiered Soldiers & Sailors Monument is hard to miss. The stunning monument features a granite octagonal base that features four eagles with their wings raised majestically. The second tier honors the various military branches by featuring four bronze statues of male figures on pedestals, representing the Navy, Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery. Bronze medallions representing President Abraham Lincoln, General U.S. Grant, General William Tecumseh Sherman, and Admiral David Farragut rest behind their statues. Above them are the bronze statues of women representing History, Emancipation, Victory, and Union. The top layer of the monument is the awe-inspiring statue of a Native queen in a winged helmet, brandishing a sword in her right hand and a shield in her left.

Kent County Civil War Monument, Grand Rapids

Nestled in Grand Rapids Monument Park stands the Kent County Civil War Monument and Fountain. Erected in 1885, the stunning monument was designed to honor those members of Kent County who never returned home from the Civil War.

In hopes of honoring the past and inspiring future generations, the Monumental Bronze Company built this incredible monument. Atop a 34-foot-tall granite pillar stands a statue of a Union soldier forever on watch, with his rifle at his side. What is truly remarkable about this monument is the level of detail it features. Every inch of the monument is utilized efficiently, with minimal dead space. Dates of historic battles like Stones River, Port Royal, and Yorktown are placed at its base. The granite pedestal that forms the monument's base features portraits of Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, James A. Garfield, and Admiral David Farragut. Each portrait also includes a quote from each man, as well as others, in the hopes of inspiring and guiding future generations.

The Kent County Civil War Monument is an incredible marriage of design and reverence for the fallen. As a centrally located landmark, it offers a great opportunity to grab a bite to eat, enjoy a sunny day, and pay respects to those we have lost.

Civil War Memorial, Adrian

The Civil War Memorial in Adrian, Michigan's Monument Park, honors the soldiers from the town of Adrian who lost their lives during the Civil War.

The impressive monument features a sandstone base that includes plaques honoring each of Adrian’s fallen sons. On top of the base is a marble column topped with a sandstone urn. On the base of the memorial is an inscription that reads, "1870. Erected by citizens of Adrian in memory of our fallen soldiers. By such as these was our Union saved in the great struggle of 1861-1865."

As impressive as this Civil War Memorial is, it also contains a hidden "historical easter egg" that some might not know. Before being a part of the monument, the marble pillar was originally designed for a Pennsylvania Bank building in Philadelphia by a Michigan architect. It's one of those monuments that is subtle and somewhat easy to overlook, but it's worth taking the time to read the names and remember what is lost.

Civil War Memorial, Ypsilanti

The simple yet beautiful Civil War Memorial located in the Highland Cemetery in Ypsilanti demonstrates that understated elegance can still be profoundly impactful.

The memorial marker is a marble pillar topped with an incredible statue of a soldier. Just beneath him is a ring of stars forming a band around the pillar. A pair of ribbons bearing the years 1861 and 1865 bookends a bronze plaque featuring the state's seal. An inscription reading "Erected by the Women's Relief Corps of Ypsilanti in memory of the men who in the War of the Great Rebellion fought to uphold their country's flag" is the memorial's centerpiece. Below that, on the pillar's base, rests the poignant words "They died to make their country free." The words offer a stark and necessary reminder that every victory comes with losses, but even one life lost is too many.

Interestingly, this monument was donated by a prominent Ypsilanti citizen, Mary Ann Starkweather. In 2022, the Highland Cemetery also added a long-overdue monument honoring African-American soldiers who fought in the Civil War.

Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial, Jackson

Between 1861 and 1865, 3,232 men from Jackson, Michigan, joined the Army and Navy to fight in the Civil War. Too few returned home; their parents lost their sons, children lost their fathers, and wives lost their husbands.

In 1903, the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial, also known as the "In Defense of the Flag" Memorial, was erected in Withington Park to honor those men. The imposing and magnificent monument features a pedestal that sits on top of two tiers of concrete, providing a slightly elevated position.

On top of the stone column sits an incredible sculpture that captures mixed emotions felt in the heat of battle. Created by sculptor Lorado Taft, the sculpture depicts three men: a young man kneeling while holding a musket at the ready, a second soldier holding his regimental flag in a display of bravado, and a third soldier lying on the ground, his chest wounded. It's possible he was looking at the last faces he was to see. In 1904, the monument was dedicated to the 17th Michigan Infantry, who fought in the Battle of South Mountain.

The incredible work put into the design and building of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial pales in comparison to the sacrifice those men made. Thankfully, the monument allows current and future generations to honor their memory in a convenient location.

George Armstrong Custer Equestrian Monument, Monroe

Standing forever at watch, General George Armstrong Custer sits astride his horse with the trained eyes of a man who's seen battle.

Unveiled in 1910, the George Armstrong Custer Equestrian Monument, also known as Sighting the Enemy, casts an imposing figure as it sits upon an elevated stone platform with the famous general's last name emblazoned on the side. Nearby, a plaque details the life and achievements of the one-time son of Monroe. During the statue's unveiling, President William Howard Taft and General Custer's widow, Elizabeth, were both in attendance to pay their respects and honor the fallen soldier and husband.

Before General Custer became General Custer, he was George Custer, a childhood resident of Monroe, Michigan. This glorious statue commemorates his success in battles such as the Peninsula Campaign, Battle of Yellow Tavern, and most famously, the Battle of Gettysburg, among others.

The famous statue is a central figure located at the junction of North Elm Avenue and North Monroe Street, making it very easy to access while out for a drive or walk. While it makes for a great photo opportunity, it presents an opportunity to reflect on the lives lost during the Civil War.

Governor Blair Monument, Lansing

Located directly in front of the Capitol Building in Lansing, the Governor Blair Monument features an imposing statue of Michigan's Governor during the Civil War. Unveiled in 1898, the statue pays homage to the man and the unenviable amount of pressure and responsibility he had during his time as wartime Governor.

The pillar on which the statue rests contains the inscription that reads: Austin Blair, War Governor of Michigan, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, along with the following: "He gave the best years of his life to Michigan, and his fame is inseparably linked with the glorious achievements of her citizen soldiers." The back of the pedestal showcases several of the late governor's quotes that encourage protecting the republic.

It's impossible to fully comprehend what Governor Blair must have been going through during those tumultuous years. While visiting the Governor Blair Monument, be sure to check the First Regiment Michigan Engineers monument and the First Michigan Sharpshooters monument, both located within the same plaza.

Sojourner Truth Monument, Battle Creek

Tucked away in the corner of Monument Park in Battle Creek is the thought-provoking Sojourner Truth Monument. A staunch abolitionist, African American civil rights activist, and women's rights advocate who was also a former slave, Truth spent decades speaking out and delivering powerful speeches to support her cause. Her passion, tenacity, and intelligence enabled her to speak in over twenty states. During the Civil War, Sojourner was instrumental in recruiting African-American soldiers for the Union side.

It is a fitting tribute to the amazing orator's stature that depicts her in what became her natural environment, standing behind a podium, as all who walk the red-bricked concave structure that makes up Sojourner Truth’s stage become her audience. Along the walls, bronze plaques share her words with future generations. On the front of the podium is a plaque that tells her life story and includes the quote, "It is for each of us who stand here to carry on the work of Truth."

Sojourner Truth did an incalculable amount of good during her lifetime. Built in 1999, this monument is a fitting tribute to a woman who had a profoundly positive impact on the lives of many people, despite having endured difficult times herself. May her actions never be forgotten and fade from memory.

War is always a tragedy, but these Michigan memorials honor soldiers who fought to protect the Union and to end slavery. By visiting these monuments and honoring these brave soldiers and what they endured, their legacy can live on. Beyond their physical form, they serve as links to the past. At best, they can show us how far we’ve come. At worst, they can remind us of how far we still need to go. And as the living, it is our responsibility to remember and honor those who came before and made the ultimate sacrifice.