Temporary Tomb and Construction

Temporary Tomb of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, 1885

Library of Congress

Grant’s remains were placed in a temporary vault, located immediately north of the permanent site, from 1885-1897. Since his entombment in the temporary tomb until being placed in the mausoleum in 1897, there was a 24 hour a day military guard posted at the site.

Temporary Tomb of General Grant, Riverside Park, 1886

Library of Congress

Following Grant’s death, the Mayor of New York offered the Grant family the location of Riverside Park for the location of Grant’s tomb and the family accepted. In a letter responding to the Mayor of New York, Julia wrote why Riverside Park was selected as the final resting place for Ulysses S. Grant, and herself.

“Riverside was selected by myself and my family as the burial place for my husband, General Grant. First, because I believe New York was his preference. Second, it is near the residence that I hope to occupy as long as I live, and where I will be able to visit his resting place often. Third, I have believed, and am now convinced, that the tomb will be visited by as many of his countrymen there as it would be at any other place. Fourth, the offer of a park in New York was the first which observed and unreservedly assented to the only condition imposed by General Grant himself, namely, that I should have a place by his side.”

In her letter, the residence that Julia refers to, is the New York City home that was gifted to her and Ulysses S. Grant, located at 3 East 66^th Street.

Construction of the final resting place for Ulysses S. Grant

Founded in the days after Grant’s death, the Grant Monument association was formed to establish and administer a suitable resting place for Grant – which included the funding and selection of the design and construction. John Duncan was selected to design the tomb after multiple architecture design competitions. Duncan also designed the Soldiers and Sailors monument for the main entrance to Prospect Park in Brooklyn.

Duncan wanted the building to be white and unblemished when completed, and he ended up rejecting $10K worth of granite shipped to the site. Souvenir hunters began to chip away at the blocks of stone waiting to be set in place so a fence had to be built around the building site for protection.

"Contributions May Be Deposited Here For The Fund To Erect The Tomb of General Grant"

The monument was completed in 1897, and cost $600,000 to complete which was all donated by people from all over the world.