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Reuel Colt Gridley Monument: A Civil War Legacy

A tribute to Civil War patriotism, honoring Reuel Colt Gridley's extraordinary fundraising efforts for Union soldiers in Stockton, CA.

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The Reuel Colt Gridley Monument, located in Stockton Rural Cemetery, honors Reuel Colt Gridley, a storekeeper who raised significant funds for the Union Army during the Civil War by auctioning a sack of flour. The monument stands as a tribute to his patriotism and philanthropic efforts.

A brief summary to Reuel Colt Gridley Monument

  • 1811 Marshall Ave, Stockton, California, 95205, US

Local tips

  • Visit during daylight hours, as the cemetery closes in the late afternoon.
  • Explore the surrounding Stockton Rural Cemetery to discover the final resting places of other notable figures, such as Benjamin Holt.
  • Take some time to reflect on the historical significance of the monument and Gridley's contributions to the Union cause.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From downtown Stockton, head west on E Weber Ave, then turn left onto N Center St. Continue onto N Union St, then turn right onto E Pine St. Finally, turn left onto Cemetery Ln. The Stockton Rural Cemetery will be on your right. Parking is available inside the cemetery grounds. Please be respectful of the surroundings while driving and parking. Parking is free.

  • Public Transport

    From the Downtown Transit Center (DTC) in Stockton, several San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) bus routes serve areas near the Stockton Rural Cemetery. Check the RTD website or app for the most up-to-date route information and schedules. From the nearest bus stop on E Pine St, walk north on Cemetery Ln to reach the cemetery entrance. A single ride on RTD costs approximately $2.00.

  • Walking

    From downtown Stockton, head east on E Main St towards N Sutter St. Continue walking straight for about 0.5 miles until you reach N El Dorado St. Turn left onto N El Dorado St and continue for about 0.2 miles. You will come to W Weber Ave. Turn right onto W Weber Ave, and after a short walk (about 0.1 miles), you will arrive at the Joan Darrah Promenade, which is located along the waterfront.

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Discover more about Reuel Colt Gridley Monument

Nestled within the historic Stockton Rural Cemetery, the Reuel Colt Gridley Monument stands as a tribute to an extraordinary act of wartime philanthropy. Reuel Colt Gridley, born in 1829, gained nationwide attention during the Civil War. A storekeeper by trade, Gridley found himself at the center of a unique fundraising effort when he lost a bet in Austin, Nevada. As a consequence, he was obligated to carry a 50-pound sack of flour through the town. What started as a lighthearted wager soon transformed into a nationwide phenomenon. Someone suggested auctioning off the sack of flour to raise money for the United States Sanitary Commission, a civilian relief agency supporting Union soldiers. The initial auction generated $250, but the winning bidder donated the flour back to Gridley to be auctioned again. This sparked a chain reaction, with Gridley traveling across Nevada and California, auctioning the sack repeatedly in various towns and cities. Mark Twain, then a newspaper editor in Virginia City, Nevada, helped promote the auctions. The monument, erected in 1887 by the Rawlins Post of the Grand Army of the Republic and the citizens of Stockton, features a life-sized marble statue of Gridley standing beside a sack of flour. The inscription reads 'The Soldier's Friend,' a testament to his legacy of compassion. The Stockton Rural Cemetery, where the monument is located, is the final resting place of many of Stockton's founding figures, including Benjamin Holt, the inventor of the caterpillar tractor.

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