Nestled in the very heart of Frankfort, Kentucky, where US 60 and US 421 intersect, stands a stone monument that could easily be overlooked if you're not paying attention. It's known as The Colored Soldiers Monument, the sole tribute across the Bluegrass State to those valiant black soldiers who fought for the Union during the American Civil War. You'll be hard-pressed to find many like it across all of the USA. And yet, here it is – weathered but with a story that's far from forgotten. Fancy a journey through time? Shall we?
From 1861 to 1865, Kentucky was under a rule that prevented recruiting black soldiers. But this rule was lifted on March 1, 1864, by which time nearly 24,000 black soldiers from Kentucky had already enlisted. Despite what you might think, these soldiers did more than garrison duty – they saw combat in Tennessee and North Carolina. A few even ventured west to Texas, helping keep the French at bay in Mexico. By 1924, it was high time to honor these forgotten soldiers with a monument of their own.
The Woman's Relief Corps No. 8 stepped up to the task, a branch of the Grand Army of the Republic. They managed to create this monument for a few hundred bucks. The only other Union monument the GAR built in Kentucky can be found in Covington. But where in the world is this stone pillar today? You'll 'ave to make your way to Green Hill Cemetery to find it. Despite being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, your average tourist will likely only run into local folks 'in the know.
If you're in Frankfort and craving a taste of history, take a five-minute detour to seek out The Colored Soldiers Monument. It's a story that's absolutely worth the tell.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Friendly Jane
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