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Columbaria made in Crookston will house remains of several Revolutionary War soldiers
The granite vaults will hold the remains of 43 soldiers and will be installed for a May 22 interment ceremony at Battlefield Park.
On Friday, May 22, 2026, Eickhof Columbaria will facilitate the interment of 43 Revolutionary War soldiers at Battlefield Park in Lake George, New York, using granite vaults built in Crookston, Minnesota.
Discovered near Lake George in 2019, these remains likely died from a smallpox epidemic; sales manager Charles Eickhof said, "Presumably, those soldiers passed as part of a smallpox epidemic that occurred in a Revolutionary War battle near Montreal."
As a respected industry leader, Crookston-based Eickhof was selected to fabricate granite memorials for this project; Eickhof CEO Peter Tollefson said, "To see them installed and the procession and the remains interred will be pretty special."
A large ceremony will take place next week at Battlefield Park, marking the interment of these veterans as part of America's 250th anniversary and providing dignity to remains once held in storage.
Outreach specialist Dean Henney noted the project ensures these soldiers are honored rather than remaining in storage, highlighting the company's pride in contributing to American history.