Welcome to the Home of the Ghost Garrison

The Ghost Garrison brings alive the day-to-day life of U.S. Army Troops who were actually stationed in Iowa in the mid 1800's. It provides a glimpse of a time when Iowa was still a territory, When the frontier was a real place, and the only Civil War was happening in Europe.

A soldier resting in front of his tent asks for help with the alphabet as he practices on his slate board or an invitation is extended to join in a game of dominos or checkers, popular pastimes of the frontier soldier. Ghost Garrison members invite and enjoy visitor questions and conversation. Their camp is not a museum display but a living place offering a unique learning experience. 

The Ghost Garrison was organized in 1977 and is made up of members fromthroughout Iowa.It is incorporatedas a not-for-profit educational organization and enjoys Federal tax exempt status. It's primary objective is the growth of general knowledge of early to mid-1800 U.S. military history, the Territory and State of Iowa. Emphasis is given to the early soldiers actually stationed in Iowa and the part these soldiers played in the protection, development, and social fabric of Iowa.

Many Iowa communities have used the Ghost Garrison to present an authentic PRE-Civil War military encampment, to march in parades, and participate in dedications. The group has appeared in a number of movies and has presented encampments for the National Park Service and U.S. Army museum at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. 

2009 Calander of events

• August 28th-30th; Nevada IA - Lincon Highway Days
• September 25th-27th; Fort Atkinson IA - Rendezvous
• October 2nd-4th; Albert Lea MN - Big Island Rendezvous

If you have an event you would like us to appear at please let us know by visiting our Contact us page. Plans for each year are made at the April annual meeting and published after that date.

Each year the Ghost Garrison can be seen at Fort Atkinson , Iowa Rendezvous during the last full weekend in September. This is their major event of the year.

“Soldering is no play, and those who undertake it must make up their minds to hard times and hard knocks.”     Lieutenant George G. Meade, 1846   On the Rio Grande