Memorial Park
Grass Valley, California
All Veteran's Memorial and Memorial Grove
City of Grass Valley.com
Memorial Day is a national holiday set aside for reflection and remembrance of those who died while serving in the U.S. Military. I have previously posted about the origins of Memorial Day (previously called Decoration Day), what this day has meant to our family and the service of my Hansen and Boothby relatives (see posts from May 31, 2021 , June 4, 2021) . You can read about the Hansen Brothers' WWII service in these posts: May 26, 2020, June 10, 2020 and June 15, 2020; you can also click on the WWII link on the right.
This Memorial Day I would like to reflect on the service of my Hansen relatives and how it has now been marked for future generations of our family. Even though these men did not die in service they did serve with honor and came home very different men than when they left their homes in Grass Valley and Reno to serve their country. I am sure they were very aware of the ultimate sacrifice that countless friends and fellow service members paid. We are able to enjoy our privileges and freedoms as citizens of the United States of America because of those sacrifices.
These marble plaques were recently installed at the All Veterans Memorial located in Memorial Park, Grass Valley, California (2023). The first phase of the project began in 2002; the names on the walls honor Nevada County veterans living or deceased who served in all branches of the military. Margaret Boothby (my mother) requested that four plaques be added this year in honor of John Hartwig Hansen (her Grandfather), Jack Hansen (her Uncle), Robley Hansen (her Uncle) and Harold Hansen (her Father). The plaques are all together on the same wall.
John Hartwig Hansen (Grass Valley, Ca.)
Jack Klemmet Hansen (Uncle Jack) Grass Valley, Ca.
Robley Evans "Bob" Hansen (Uncle Bob) born in Grass Valley, Ca. and lived in Reno, Nevada
Harold Lloyd Hansen (Grandpa) Grass Valley, Ca.
The four plaques can be found at the top of this section.
The Memorial section of the park is located across from the pickle ball courts and pool and is located on the Race Street side.
Taken from the City of Grass Valley website:
"The Grass Valley Women's Improvement Club's creation of the modest park, Dow Alexander Park, presaged bigger things. In their early conversation with William Bourn, the women asked about a 7-acre property along Colfax Avenue, known as Barker Tract, which the Empire had purchased for its underground mineral rights. Bourn took the matter to his Board of Directors, and a week later offered the land for a park.
In 1911, the women didn't have the funds to develop a property as large as the Barker Tract. But later, as a result of organizing successful war bond and Red Cross drives during the Great War of 1914-18, local citizens developed the skills to raise money on a larger scale than they could through parties and variety shows.
The Memorial Park property was purchased November 11, 1930 from the Empire Star Mines Company for the sum of $1.00. After the war Empire's property would become Grass Valley's Memorial Park. The Memorial area was dedicated to Veterans and contains monuments for WWI, WWII and Korean War. Memorial Day and Veteran's Day services are held annually by local Veteran's groups."
The Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce also asked for contributions with the slogan "Give a Shift for the Park". Hundreds of working men and their families gave a day's wages. The result was a beautiful community park with a stone bridge, an auto camp, gardens, a community building which served as the veteran's hall, tennis courts , a ball field, a swimming pool, and a memorial grove. Cities throughout the state used Memorial Park as a model. (The Union October 29, 2021 Volunteerism Built Grass Valley's Memorial Park)
Memorial Park just recently under went an extensive remodel and upgrade. There is a renovated and expanded pool, new tennis, basketball and pickle ball courts and a beautiful inclusive playground for children of all abilities. The Memorial grove is located in the same quiet spot under large mature trees that provide cool shade in the summer. A perfect spot to sit and reflect on the service of not only our family members, but of all the remembered service members of Nevada County.
John Hartwig Hansen Spanish American War 1898
Harold, John and Bob Hansen WWII
Jack Hansen (from the Bob Hansen Family Album) WWII
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