Soldier Monument on Courthouse Square
There are several Civil War items of interest in Muscatine’s Courthouse Square including a soldier’s monument, cannons, and a plaque of the Gettysburg Address. The original marble monument was dedicated in 1875. The marble had deteriorated to the point where it had to be replaced and a beautiful new granite monument, which replicated the original, was re-dedicated before a large crowd and many dignitaries on July 2, 2011. The second photo is of the front of the monument - the other sides show over 400 soldiers from the county - the inscriptions on the east side of the monument are shown in the 3rd photo.. Also shown is an wonderful old postcard with the original monument. One soldier listed is Shelby Norman, identified as the first Iowan to be killed in battle in the Civil War. Norman, 18 years old, enlisted in the 1st Iowa Infantry Regiment and was killed at Wilson’s Creek on August 10, 1861. The Muscatine GAR Post was named in honor of Shelby Norman. The Gettysburg Address is on the entrance to the Courthouse.

There are two 5.82 inch 24 pounder flank howitzers, M1844 manufactured at Cyrus Alger & Co. - one in 1849 - the other does not have markings to identify the date. The cannons are pointed South and not by accident according to Muscatine County history. A cannonball stack lies between the cannons. There is a veteran’s monument for all veterans on the east side of the Courthouse lawn. The Courthouse monument is located on the corner of Walnut and E 3rd Street. Photos taken 6/30/09, 7/2/11 and 8/12/20.