Girard's Civil War Monument
Circus owner and performer Dan Rice had many reasons to arrange for a Civil War monument to be erected either in Erie or Girard. He chose Girard. While he was performing around the country during the summer of 1865 his agents arranged with the Girard Borough officials for this monument to be erected that November in the middle of the main thoroughfare. It would be a big event with a parade along Main Street and one performance of his circus. Dignitaries and former military leaders would be invited. But Rice had serious opposition locally. One, in particular, tried several ways to stop this farce. Why, everyone just knew it would really be a monument to Dan, not to the Civil War dead. The next day seemed to prove it.
Location: Lincoln Community Center Library – 1255 Manchester Rd. Erie, PA 16505.
Date/Time: Monday, October 3 at 6:00 p.m.
Admission: FREE, please register in advance.
Parking: lot in front of building.
Sabina Shields Freeman holds a BA in Journalism from The Ohio State University.
Freeman currently has several books in print about people and places in the Erie area. Her first book was about Erie city and county women, Erie History the Women’s Story, which she co-authored with Margaret Tenpas in 1982 for the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Freemans’ books are available through the Fairview Area Historical Society, the Erie County Historical Society, two local bookstores and her website: hiflightpress.com.
Freeman has contributed articles to several historical magazines and is currently working on a comprehensive biography of Girard’s circus showman Dan Rice.