-Photo courtesy of Curtis family
This photo was likely taken in Webster City of men who probably belonged to the Winfield Scott Chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic (Webster City). Because most are wearing a GAR uniform with a special ribbon, they must be attending an event commemorating an important aspect of the Civil War, perhaps the 50th anniversary of the end of the war, which would date the photo to 1915. Fort Dodge's chapter of the GAR was called the Fort Donelson Post 236.

Long before there was an American Legion or a Veterans of Foreign Wars, former members of the Union Army had their own organization.

It was called the Grand Army of the Republic, and it had a post in Fort Dodge.

It was called the Fort Donelson Post 236. It was chartered on Sept. 28, 1883.

At its peak, it had 236 members, who met in the post’s building at 28 S. Sixth St.

It was disbanded on Jan. 1, 1936.