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The Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery was founded in 1886 by the Grand Army of the Republic Post 263 of Homer. The G.A.R., an organization composed of Union civil war veterans, desired a resting place for themselves and their families. The cemetery was formed with five acres purchased in August 1886 from George B. Eggleston on the undeveloped east side of the village of Homer, in Champaign County, Illinois.. The sale of lots began in September 1886, and on January 3, 1887, the Homer town board approved the establishment of a public cemetery within the village limits of Homer.
With the aging civil war veterans unable to maintain the cemetery, the American Legion Post 290 assumed care and ownership of the cemetery in 1920. After nearly 100 years of service, the Legion post deeded the cemetery to the village of Homer. The GAR cemetery holds over 3600 burials and is open to all.