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Any photos not otherwise credited are from the personal collection of Frank Passic, Albion Historian.
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Morning Star, May 24, 2000, pg. 8 On this Memorial Day 2020, we remember all those who died in the service of our country. This holiday, originally called Decoration Day, dates back to the days following the end of the Civil War. Following that War, it became customary to erect memorials in towns across the country. Many of these were statues or monuments that were erected in the town square, in a cemetery, or in parks under the leadership of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), the Civil War Veteran’s organization. In Albion for example, there is a G.A.R. rock in Victory Park. Albion’s local E. W. Hollingsworth Post. Post No. 210 of the G.A.R. was organized in 1883. Hollingsworth was the first local field officer to die following the War. In its heyday, the local Post had a membership of 217 persons. A G.A.R. Hall was erected in 1892 on E. Erie St. next to the Methodist Church which eventually acquired the building when the G.A.R. disbanded. The local Post arranged for an authentic 1862 Civil War cannon monument to be erected on the corner of N. Superior St. and W. Michigan Avenue, on the site where the Molder Statue now stands. Albion’s Parrott cannon, along with 20 shells, arrived in town on Tuesday, January 31, 1899 on the Michigan Central Railroad. It had been shipped here from Toledo. The cannon measures approximately 130 inches in bore length, and 155 inches in overall length. It was manufactured with a combination of cast and wrought iron in Cold Springs, New York at the private West Point Foundry. The cannon is a Parrott 100-pounder rifle nicknamed the "Swamp Angel," designed by Robert Parker Parrott (1804-1877). Parrott served as superintendent at the Foundry from 1836 to 1867. The cannon has a 6.4" bore and weighs 9,796 pounds. It has a shell size of 100 lbs. That size makes the cannon a Naval gun, which was used on ships and also along the coastlines. This 100-pounder had a ranger of 8,453 yards with 80-pound shot, and a range of 6,820 yards with a 100-pound shell. The muzzle face bears the markings, "No. 7, W. P. F. 1862 9796," which stand for: "Foundry No. 7, West Point Foundry, Serial No. 9796." Cannon Park was a downtown landmark for many years. Unfortunately for the cannon, the "City Comfort Station" (that’s rest rooms, folks) was erected in front of it in 1924, partially obscuring its view. By the time the Albion Chamber of Commerce moved into that building in 1960, the cannon had been largely ignored for many years and was showing signs of neglect. On the initiative of Albion Mayor Hugo A. Rieger and National Guard Brigadier General Noble O. Moore, the Albion City Council authorized the removal of the cannon on April 17, 1961 to the new National Guard Armory on N. Clark St. The cost was borne by the Albion National Guard Armory. It was cleaned and placed there with its original foundation, and a ceremony was held there on May 18, 1961. The cannon still remains out front today. From our Historical Notebook this week we present an early 20th century postcard photograph of the cannon, "aimed" eastwards towards the Hotel Albion which was located across the street. The photographer was Pratt, according to the card, with first name unknown. The cannon is mounted on stone blocks, surrounded by a beautiful arrangement of ferns and foliage growing around it. A metal railing surrounded Cannon Park. In the background is the large brick home of retired railroad investor Frank Manning at 102 W. Michigan Avenue. He had moved back here from Paw Paw in 1878 and purchased the then-new home from C. T. Barker. Manning had been one of Albion’s pioneers in 1836 but left for Paw Paw 1842. This brick house was demolished to make way for our present U.S. Post Office building which was erected on the site in 1916-17. How many of our readers have viewed this Civil War cannon?  Downtown Albion's Civil War Cannon
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