Memorial Hall Belfast, Me. 354 10-14-04-#1

Memorial Hall Belfast, Me. 354 10-14-04-#1

"Memorial Hall Belfast, Me. 354 10-14-04-#1" Street Scene, Buildings, Memorial Hall, Cupola, Cannons, Sign [G.A.R.] In 1889, the city council ordered that a building be built on the present Church Street site which would contain a Memorial Hall for the Thomas H. Marshall Post No. 42 of the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) together with rooms and offices for the city and for the fire department. The price for land and building was not to exceed $23,000.00. $2500.00 of the cost was to be contributed by the Post. The building is of brick and granite and accommodates the fire department in the basement, city offices on the first floor and the Memorial Hall on the second floor (occcupied by the Thomas H. Marshall Post, The Sons of Veterans and the Ladies' Relief Corps). The first meeting of the city government took place September 4, 1890. On May 30, 1924, as their numbers were dwindling, the veterans dedicated a Lincolnville granite marker in front of the building with the inscription: “To The Boys of 1861 – 1865.” The Thomas H. Marshall Post, No. 42 disbanded in 1934 and deeded the building to the City of Belfast. Thomas H. Marshall: Remembrance of the war and its effects did not quickly end. The Thomas H. Marshall Post No. 42, Grand Army of the Republic Civil War veterans' group was organized in 1881. The post was named in honor of Thomas H. Marshall, Captain of the Belfast City Greys. At the outbreak of the war, Marshall joined his men as they enlisted with the 4th Maine Regiment. As a leader of the 4th Maine, Marshall soon rose through the ranks. He distinguished himself at the first Battle of Bull Run, but fell victim to a fever and died several months after the battle, at age 35. He left a widow and two young children. Rather than erecting a stone monument, it was suggested that a memorial hall be built in honor of those who served and a sufficient sum was raised for that purpose. Local Civil War veterans are buried in cemeteries throughout Waldo County. Over 200 Belfast veterans are at rest in Belfast's Grove Cemetery, including James Dunton, the last Waldo County Civil War veteran who died at age 93, January 1, 1940