By Jennifer Crooks
Priest Point Park, created in 1905, is one of Olympia’s finest parks. In the early 20th century, the city obtained a pair of Civil War cannons from the United States government for the park. Weathering years of change, these cannons have survived their long journey—from the Civil War to decades of residence at Priest Point Park and more recently their home at the Fort Steilacoom Museum. This Museum preserves and interprets the historic Fort Steilacoom site (1849-1868).
In spring 1911, a bill was proposed in Congress to dispose of obsolete government cannons. The editors of “The Olympia Daily Recorder” newspaper praised the efforts of Senator Wesley Livsey Jones (1863-1932) of Washington to obtain cannons for his state. Olympia leaders, supported by local citizens, originally hoped for an iron cannon, but were informed by Senator Jones that only bronze cannons were left and they would need to pay around $300 to purchase a single cannon.
Nevertheless, Olympia leaders believed the cost would be well worth it and make a wonderful addition to Priest Point Park. “The Olympia Daily Recorder” editors on May 4, 1911, stated that a cannon would “make a brave show mounted on the hillside in front of the park pavilion, where ‘Old Glory’ now flies from a towering natural flagpole [a painted snag], and would be in full view from the bay….The cannon would be a distinct addition to the park features, and would be of additional utility in firing Fourth of July salutes, and in saluting United States or foreign naval vessels visiting Olympia harbor from time to time…”
Things moved slowly after the decision was made. H.R. 24458 was approved by Congress on August 24, 1912, with substantial changes from the original plan. It was “An Act Authorizing the Secretary of War, in his discretion, to deliver to certain cities and towns condemned bronze or brass cannon, with their carriages and outfit of cannon balls, and so forth,” with the provision that the federal government would incur no costs in delivering the cannons but the Department of War would retain legal ownership of the cannons.
The cannons were not being sold, but lent for free to cities around America. The act also specified the locations in twenty-two states that the 105 cannons would be given. For Washington, that was North Yakima, Ellensburg, Walla Walla, Vancouver, Wenatchee, Bellingham, Everett and Olympia.
Olympia was to receive two Napoleon cannons and a stock of forty eight-inch cannonballs. The City Council accepted the U.S. government’s proposal on November 20, 1912. The cannons were then sent by ship from the Benicia Arsenal in California. The city’s cost was $26.20 – only the freight charge. The historic weapons arrived in Olympia during the first week of February 1913.
By May, the cannons had been placed in front of the Swiss Chalet, the park’s dance and community pavilion. This building stood on the bluff above Budd Inlet on the west side of the park. A grassy area marks the spot today. Following directions sent by the Department of War, workmen set up the cannons on stone and concrete bases with one short pyramid of cannonballs beside each cannon. The cannons were later moved northward to a stone balcony overlooking Budd Inlet. As for the Swiss Chalet, the building became a storage shed and was torn down in the 1960s.
As researched by Fort Steilacoom historians, the two cannons were used by the Union Army during the Civil War. The first was cast by the Revere Copper Company in Boston Massachusetts in 1863. Its 4.62 inch bore, the same as when it was originally made, indicates that it was likely used very little. The second cannon was cast by Henry N. Hopper & Company in Boston, Massachusetts in 1862. The cannon’s five inch bore indicates heavy usage. Both cannon barrels weigh 1220 pounds and are capable of firing a twelve pound cannonball nearly a mile. According to historian Lyle Hegsted, only a third of the 1,150 Napoleon cannons built for the Union survive.
The local cannons’ survival is even more striking when compared to the fate of other cannons assigned to Washington State in H.R. 24458. There is no trace of cannons going to Everett, Ellensburg, Walla Walla and Vancouver. The cannons in Bellingham and (North) Yakima arrived and were displayed in local parks for a time but were melted down as scrap during World War II. The Olympia cannons are the only survivors of this group with exception of a single cannon on display in front of the Chelan County Courthouse in Wenatchee.
After years of harsh weather, occasional vandalism, and even several theft attempts the cannons at Priest Point Park were in need of a new home. The City of Olympia and the Fort Steilacoom Historical Association reached an agreement that sent the two cannons on indefinite loan to the Fort, although the historic weapons remain the legal possession of the Defense Department. Volunteers at Fort Steilacoom carefully recreated replica cannon carriages and built a shed to house the cannons for display.
Despite all odds, the cannons have survived and remain accessible to the public. It is a fitting end to the cannons’ long journey from the Civil War to the present and today visitors to Fort Steilacoom can view the cannons and learn their role in history.
