Places to Honor & Remember Michigan’s Role in the Civil War

At the outset of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln is said to have exclaimed, “Thank God for Michigan!” when a call for troops was handed down after the South fired on Fort Sumter.

While Michigan was never the site of any Civil War battles, the Great Lakes State played an important part in the war, and that role is remembered today in monuments, historical markers, and museum exhibits honoring Michigan’s contributions during the war.

From the shores of Lake Erie to Mackinac Island to historic spots in Metro Detroit, Civil War buffs and those who want to learn more about Michigan’s history in the conflict can visit dozens of sites.

Michigan Civil War Monuments

Michigan sent about 90,000 men to fight for the Union throughout the Civil War. After the war, monuments were constructed to honor those who served.

Today, nearly two dozen Michigan cities have a monument related to the Civil War in some way, and many of those monuments have changed over time to include veterans of other wars. Some of Michigan’s monuments include…

Flint

On the green of the Genesee County Courthouse is a monument that tells the story of the 10th Michigan Infantry Regiment, which formed in Flint and fought in numerous Civil War battles. Another historical marker about resisting slavery is also on the green.

Galesburg

A monument on Michigan Avenue in downtown Galesburg stands in remembrance of William Shafter, who served with the 7th Michigan. He went on to become a major general, earned the Congressional Medal of Honor, and also served in the Spanish-American War.

Ionia

Three monuments stand in remembrance of Civil War soldiers at the Ionia County Courthouse. A battle flag from the 21st Michigan Infantry is also on display inside the courthouse.

Another monument there honors the memory of Alanzo Woodruff. He won the Medal of Honor during the Battle of Hatcher’s Run in 1864.

Lansing

Located in front of the Michigan State Capitol Building is a monument to Austin Blair, who served as governor of Michigan during wartime. Also on the green are monuments to the 1st Michigan Engineer’s monument and 1st Michigan Sharpshooter’s monument.

Monroe

On the shores of Lake Erie, Monroe has several monuments dedicated to the Civil War.

Soldiers and Sailors Park on East Front Street was dedicated in 1923 and features multiple markers, the Monroe County Civil War Fallen Soldiers Memorial, and a Joseph R. Smith, GAR Post #76 plaque.

The Fallen Soldiers Memorial was dedicated in 2012 and is also located in the park. Famous men from Monroe County, including Gen. George A. Custer, have their service records memorialized on the back of the Memorial.

A Custer statue, Sighting the Enemy, is at the corner of Elm and Monroe streets. There are two historic markers in the plaza along with the statue.

A marker at St. Mary’s Avenue and Lorain Street notes the site of Camp Monroe, a mustering point of the 7th and 15th Michigan Infantry Regiments and Battery H of the 1st Michigan Light Artillery.

Michigan Museums Related to the Civil War

The memory of the thousands of Michigan Civil War soldiers lives on in many of the state’s museums, which feature Civil War displays.

Some of those museums include…

Michigan History Museum

702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48915

The Michigan History Museum allows visitors to walk through five floors of fascinating Michigan history, from Michigan’s first peoples into the 20th Century. The many displays include a Civil War section in the main museum and a viewing room that tells the story of Michigan’s many battle flags during the war.

Henry Ford Museum

20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124

The Henry Ford Museum’s “With Liberty and Justice for All” exhibit focuses on transformative moments in history, including the Civil War. One of the museum’s most famous famous pieces, Abraham Lincoln’s chair from Ford’s Theatre, is included in this exhibit.

Dearborn Historical Museum

915 S Brady St, Dearborn, MI 48124

The museum in downtown Downtown is the sight of the former Dearborn Arensal spans two buildings, the Commandant’s Quarters and the McFadden-Ross House. Visitors can see displays from the Civil War in both buildings and the structures date back to that era as well.

Michigan Heroes Museum

1250 Weiss St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

This museum is a hidden gem in Frankenmuth and is home to hundreds of exhibits and is full of photos, memorabilia, and artifacts that chronicle Michigan’s military history. That includes exhibits related to Michigan’s service in the Civil War.

Monroe County Historical Museum

126 S. Monroe Street, Monroe, MI

Located in downtown Monroe, this museum is the sight of Gen. George A. Custer’s original home. Today, the museum houses a dazzling collection of 18th & 19th century artifacts relating to Southeast Michigan, including the Civil War, Monroe County war veterans, and materials relating to the life of Gen. Custer and his family.

Civil War Historical Sites in Michigan

Michigan’s historical markers and museums are great places to see the state’s Civil War history, but many historical sites in Michigan also hold some connection to the war.

Historic Fort Wayne

6325 West Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48209

Historic Fort Wayne was completed by 1850, but during the Civil War, it served as a point of muster and training. It also served as a primary induction center for Michigan troops heading to battle in subsequent wars, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Fort Mackinac

7127 Huron Rd, Mackinac Island, MI 49757

Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island has a rich history as an important Michigan stronghold. While its role in the Civil War was minimal at best, it became a site where political prisoners were kept. During the summer of 1862, three Confederate prisoners were kept in the fort and guarded by almost 100 men.

Ulysses S. Grant Home

At the corner of Orleans and Wilkins Streets in Detroit stands a home formerly occupied by Ulysses S. Grant. Grant and his wife Julia lived in the house while he was stationed in Detroit from 1849 to 1850, well before Grant became a leader in the Union Army during the Civil War.

Note: The home is currently under renovation and closed to the public.

Van Raalte Farm Civil War Muster

858 E. 24th St, Holland, MI 49423

Van Raalte Farm was originally the home of Civil War veteran Ben Van Raalte. The structures here are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are part of a 160-acre park, which is also the site of re-enactments.

During re-enactments, visitors can experience the sights and sounds of the war, from the smell of powder to the boom of cannons. Visitors can also wander through encampments, see demonstrations, and even visit an authentic Civil War-era saloon.

Michigan Civil War Historical Markers

Since the inception of Michigan’s Historical Marker program in 1955, dozens of markets have been erected throughout the state to honor Michigan’s contributions during the Civil War. Some of those include:

• A marker remembering Jewish soldiers in the Civil War at William G. Milliken State Park in Detroit.
• A marker honoring George DeBaptiste, who organized Michigan’s Colored Regiment during the war. It’s located at the southwest corner of Larned and Beaubien in Detroit.
• Markers honoring Gen. George Armstrong Custer in Monroe at the intersection of N. Monroe Street at Elm.
• Markers remembering The Barracks in Ypsilanti and the more than 4,000 Washtenaw County soldiers who served in the war. The markers are at 404 N. River Street in Ypsilanti.
• A marker remembering Camp Blair in Jackson, which was one of the state’s military headquarters during the war. It’s located at 1212 Wildwood in Jackson.
• Markers for Mount Hope Cemetery in Lansing, which includes a large obelisk, signifying the cemetery’s monument for Civil War soldiers. It’s located at 1709 E. Mount Hope Ave in Lansing.
• Markers remembering Camp Williams and the Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, located at North Hill at Adrian College.

Learn More About Michigan’s Part in the Civil War

Michigan may not have Civil War sites as famous as Gettysburg or Antietam, but history buffs can take their own Michigan Civil War tourism journey. From historic landmarks to monuments commemorating the deeds of great men to museums with relics of the era, curious minds can learn all about a fascinating part of Michigan’s rich history.