05/26/2026
Memorial Day is a holiday to honor those who served and died in military service for our country. We thank all those from the Garretson area throughout history who have served their country and community, as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Pictured is a photo of Main Avenue taken in downtown Garretson looking south. Given the uniforms, spectators’ clothing, and vehicle types, we believe this photograph was likely taken around 1918–1922. We also believe it captures a Memorial Day (then known as Decoration Day) parade in Garretson. The two uniformed individuals leading the group are wearing World War I–era uniforms and were likely local veterans serving as an honor guard.
On the left side of the photo, the buildings visible include the Garretson News and the Garretson Creamery Co-op. In the distance, two church steeples can be seen. The one with a visible bell tower is the Garretson United Methodist Church, which was located on the southeast corner of Main Avenue and 1st Street (the building still stands today, though it is no longer used as a church). The other steeple farther in the distance belonged to the original Zion Lutheran Church, which stood on the northeast corner of Main Avenue and Essex Street. That church building was completed in 1903 and remained in use until the current church building (located one block east) was completed in 1951.
