In late spring of 1866, Union veterans of the Civil War formed the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR ) in Illinois, an organization for fellowship, support for veterans, and education. At its peak, the GAR had 410,000 members of all races and included two women and it became an influential force in state and national politics.

The Wisconsin Department of the GAR was founded on June 7, 1866, just weeks after the order formed in Illinois. A few days later on June 10, veterans in Madison formed the Cassius Fairchild Post #1  as the first in Wisconsin. Due to administrative issues with the Wisconsin Department of the GAR, the post was rechartered in 1880 as Post #11 and later renamed the C.C. Washburn Post in 1883. After the passing of Lucius Fairchild in 1896, the post was renamed again as the Lucius Fairchild Post #11.