FROST — In a small hamlet seven miles east of Stewart near the Washington County line, a local group — its members part of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War — is seeking approximately $45,000 in donations so it can begin to restore a building that stands as a monument to Ohio’s important role in the Civil War.
The two-story wooden building in Frost, which was built in 1893, is one of Ohio’s only remaining Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Halls. At one time, there were more than 800 of them statewide, said Carl Denbow, commander of John S. Townsend Camp 108, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. They provided meeting spaces for GAR members who comprised the largest Union Army veterans organization following the Civil War. The war between Union and Confederate forces was waged from 1861 to 1865. The local GAR veterans when it was built were members of H.G. Frost Post 341.
Athens County alone had 14 GAR Halls at one time, Denbow said. Now there are only five left in Ohio, and Athens County is fortunate to have one of them.
“This building is of immense historical significance, and its restoration would serve as a great tribute to the ‘Boys in Blue’ who answered the call to save the Union in her moment of greatest peril,” he said.
Led by efforts from state Rep. Jay Edwards (R-94th District), who assisted John S. Townsend Camp 108’s nearly 20 members, Denbow said $50,000 was secured in June from the state Capital Improvements Budget, and went into effect in July. Denbow’s group must raise about $45,000 more to renovate the GAR building’s foundation, which is out of alignment and propped up on sandstone blocks several feet off the ground. Renovating the foundation is the first important step in restoration.
“We meet there at times, but because of the instability of the structure, now must only meet downstairs,” Denbow said.
He added the downstairs hall is spacious for gatherings with long tables available for sit-down meals, while the upstairs meeting room was used historically for ceremonial purposes. The downstairs hall has walls made of Buckeye wood that are in good shape, with Buckeye wood common for GAR Halls.
The upstairs ceremonial room slants at a slightly downward angle, a clear indication of the need foundation work. The ceiling is damaged in one spot, and windows need repair. Once an amount estimated at $93,000 is secured to restore the foundation, Denbow said more renovations can occur from which grants will be possible. Every effort will be made to repair GAR features in as historically accurate a manner as possible.
John S. Townsend Camp 108 members last met in the building July 3 for a dinner attended by Steve Ball, state commander of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. A musician, Ball sang songs played during the Civil War, Denbow said, such as the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Marching through Georgia.”
The building has seen many uses through the years, with a small stage added in the 1920s. It could once again be used by many different groups once GAR Hall is completely restored, Denbow offered. One group that met there, going back to the 1930s, was the Betsy Ross Club, named after the woman who created the American flag. Their drill team photo is still on display on a mantle, and walls upstairs are adorned with photographs of many Union Army heroes including Gen. William T. Sherman, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, and Major Gen. George Armstrong Custer.
On the back of his business card, Denbow can trace his Civil War Union Army ancestry back to great-great-great-grandfathers on his father’s side. They start with Private John Denbow of Company K, 78th Ohio Voluntary infantry.
Denbow's great-great-uncles also served. The last one, Private James Smith of Company D, was with the 7th West Virginia Infantry. He served the Union in the famed Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, waged from July 1-3, 1863. West Virginia had become a state just two weeks earlier, Denbow said, splitting away from Virginia, the state of which the Confederate Capital in Richmond was located. Smith’s unit was so new, it borrowed its insignias from other units.
Denbow said John S. Townsend Camp 108 members, who comprise a nonprofit and own GAR Hall and its small surrounding property, are grateful for any donations their foundation effort can receive. It is an exciting opportunity to bring an important part of Ohio history to Athens County.
“We have additional plans for funding, but these can’t go forward until the new foundation is in place,” Denbow said, adding that other elected leaders appear willing to aid Edwards’ efforts thus far. “US Rep. Troy Balderson, State Rep. Don Jones, and State Sen. Brian Chavez have all expressed interest in the project. Sen. Chavez is trying to arrange a meeting this fall at the GAR Hall among all these parties to discuss how to work on additional funding.”
Once the entire building renovation is completed, the GAR in Frost would eligible for placement on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Those who wish to donate to GAR foundation restoration may contact Denbow by email at camp108suv@fastmail.net, or call him directly at (740) 591-8471.
Most Popular
Comments / 0