Why does Melvin Grigsby have a historical marker in Mckennan Park? Because he owned a home there before it was a park, a home Helen Mckennan would later own, the same home she would donate along with the land for the park to the city in her will upon her death. The same donation that started the whole controversy we talked about in the episode A Park Born in Controversy.
Col. Melvin Grigsby (1845-1917) Historical Marker (hmdb.org)
The Smoked Yank - Google Books
Melvin Grigsby (1845-1917) - Find a Grave Memorial
Andersonville - Prison, Location & Civil War | HISTORY
Helen G Gale McKennan (1841-1906) - Find a Grave Memorial
2/11/1909 Argus Leader
10/12/1906 Page 8 Argus Leader
1/16/07 Argus Leader Page 5
1/29/1909 Argus Leader
7/22/1908 Argus Leader Page 4