Historic Preservation: Douglas Cannon and Bell
Event: The Douglas Cannon and Bell - Stories and Pictoral History
Alaska 50th Year Statehood Event!
Join Mark Whitman on Saturday, November 8th, 4:00 pm, at the Mt. Jumbo Gym for a slideshow presentation of stories and history surrounding the mysterious Douglas Cannon and Bell. These historic items were recently restored and are currently on display outside the Douglas U.S. Post Office. This is a public event sponsored by the Douglas 4th of July Committee. Douglas School Alumni and Douglas Volunteer Fire Fighters are especially encouraged to attend.
Mt Bradley Enterprises Corporation refurnished the old cannon and bell located in front of the Douglas U. S. Post Office. Two cement pads were constructed to serve as new bases. 
Leif Lie (in the photo with Pat Peterson) and Travis Larsen worked on the project. The artifacts were once in front of the old Douglas City Hall Building. The installation dates are unknown. The cannon was once mounted on a frame on top of the Bell. Val Poor moved them to the current U.S. Post Office when the new Douglas Fire Station/Library was constructed.
The Iron Bell
There are no markings on the iron bell; it is too large for a ship’s bell.
The Cannon
The cannon has BP & CO, 419 marked on top. There are several stories about the cannon's history. The Douglas 4th of July Committee is not sure which is correct. One rumor is that there were 2 cannons found on Mayflower Island. The Treadwell miners used to fire them off. One cannon blew up. For safety, Ed Hildeband welded an ore ball into the remaining cannon in the 1950s. The "cannon" balls next to the cannon came from the Treadwell Mine and were used in ore crushing.
The Douglas 4th of July Committee organized the refurbishing and cost of additional materials for the new display.
Anyone with information or photographs about these artifacts is encouraged to contact a Douglas 4th of July Committee member and share with the community.
Committee Members: Joy Baker; Bill & Caroline Byford; Rych Clime; Jim “Morgan”;Cranford; Maggie Ford; Billy Jo Gehring; Laura Haywood; Erin & Sharon Kelly; Doug Jones; Robert Jones; Molly McCormick; Lora Mallinger; Barbara May; Diane Oliphant; Mike & Audrey Oftedahl; Patti Palmer; Harold Pence; Pat Peterson; Rich & Peggy Poor; Katie Prussing; Anna Marg Rear; Sandy & Susanne Williams; Dawn & Jonh Walsh
Special thanks to Alaska Litho, Alpine Portable Toilets, Arrow Refuse, City & Borough of Juneau, Commercial Signs & Printing, Evergreen Motors, Inc., Gray Line Tours, John Cadigan, Juneau A & P, Lynden Barge, and Rozwick Giles Music.
