Grave of the Last Surviving Union Soldier

Over the top of the hills of Duluth, Minnesota, the grave of Albert Woolson, the last surviving Union Soldier from the American Civil War, can be found in Park Hill Cemetery in the Woodland neighborhood.

Allegedly, Woolson was born in 1847 and enlisted in the military around October 1864. He joined Company C First Minnesota Heavy Artillery Regiment. Woolson became a drummer boy but never saw action.

Woolson returned to Minnesota, where he lived the rest of his life. He was a carpenter and later a member of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), an organization comprised of Civil War veterans where he became senior vice commander in chief in 1953.

He lived in Duluth, Minnesota until his death in August 1956. At the time, he was thought to be 109 years old. Woolson was buried with full military honors by the National Guard at Park Hill Cemetery, Duluth, Minnesota. His gravestone lists his birth year as 1847.