Blow Me Away Multi-Cache

Early in the twentieth century, the United States government sought to remove surplus Civil War and Spanish-American War-era cannons from the federal inventory. In 1914 the United States Military Affairs Committee bill authorized the U.S. Secretary of War to donate a number of these cannon to various local committees and Grand Army of the Republic (G. A. R.) posts around the country. The G. A. R. was an organization of Union Civil War veterans. Through the efforts of Washington State’s Senator Wesley L. Jones and local G. A. R. Commander A. A. Stevens. The Daniel McCook Post No. 105 of Wenatchee received one cannon with carriage and a stack of cannon balls.

On Saturday, September 11, 1915, over 200 people gathered at Carnegie Park for the formal dedication ceremonies. The Honorable Frank Reeves delivered an address, Commander A. A. Stevens made the presentation, and Wenatchee Councilman F. E. Culp received the cannon for the city. The Rev. H. Gordon Bennett closed the event with a prayer. (Carnegie Park for a short time was known as the Wenatchee City Park. The park was renamed "Memorial Park" in June, 1919.)

Originally the cannon rested on a wheeled carriage which proved a tempting challenge for mischievous pranksters. Eventually a concrete pedestal on a diamond shaped foundation held the cannon. On each side of the cannon stood a pyramid of cannon balls. The concern of possible serious injury from loose cannon balls rolling free led to the removal of both stacks.

In the fall of 1995, the City of Wenatchee received an offer from a private party to purchase the cannon but the citizens of the community voiced their objections to selling the artifact. The City Commission charged the North Central Washington Museum to raise funds to enhance the piece. Fund raising efforts included sale of miniature cannons, T-shirts and a raffle for a donated 1869 Sharps carbine hunter’s rifle as well as direct contributions from the community. After two years of research on the cannon’s history, the plaza was designed, funds accumulated and construction began. The cannon now rests on a heavy steel and concrete base. The bricks used in the plaza were originally a part of the former Wenatchee train depot landing. Early water meter rims outline the garden planters. The bronze plaques on the cannon base reflect both the original and new dedication dates.

The North Central Washington Museum is proud to have coordinated the enhancement of this Civil War-era artifact. As voiced by many area citizens over the past two years, the cannon has become part of Wenatchee’s folklore and History since it’s placement in Memorial Park in 1915. It is a fitting memorial for those among Wenatchee’s founders who served in the "War Between the States" and other late 19^th century engagements.