Colored Soldiers Monument in Frankfort

The Colored Soldiers Monument is a limestone pillar in Green Hill Cemetery that honors African American soldiers from the region. The structure displays carved names and inscriptions commemorating those who served in Union forces during the Civil War.

The monument was dedicated on July 4, 1924, by the Woman's Relief Corps No. 8, an auxiliary organization of the Grand Army of the Republic. This dedication recognized the service of Black soldiers from Kentucky who joined Union forces during the later years of the Civil War.

The monument represents Kentucky's 23,703 Black soldiers who joined Union regiments after March 1, 1864, receiving immediate emancipation upon enlistment.

The monument sits within Green Hill Cemetery and is accessible during standard cemetery hours for visitors to view. Take time to read the inscriptions carefully, as they provide the names and details of those being remembered at this location.

This is one of only a few monuments in the United States specifically honoring African American soldiers from the Civil War. The preserved inscriptions allow visitors to discover the individual soldiers remembered here, connecting personal history to the larger story of the war.

Location: Frankfort

Location: Franklin County

GPS coordinates: 38.20517,-84.83763

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:04