Deadwood in Lawrence County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Spanish-American War Memorial

— A Trail to Deadwood's Past —

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 11, 2018

1. Spanish-American War Memorial Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The bronze cannon above you, serial number #9220, was cast on May 7, 1862 at the Royal Foundry of Seville, Spain. This cannon was one of six "Cañones rayados cortos de a 12 centímetros,” or short cannon of twelve centimeters, (4 ¾” diameter) manufactured under royal order of Spanish monarch Queen Isabella II for the Philippine Army. Upon a successful test firing, the cannon and its counterparts were transported to Cadiz, Spain where it was loaded on the Spanish frigate Santa Maria bound for the Philippine Islands. According to the ship's log, the Santa Maria set sail on February 27, 1863. It sailed south along the African continent, rounded the Cape of Good Hope on May 3-4, and continued east across the Indian Ocean. After 128 days at sea, the ship arrived at Manila Bay on July 5, 1863. Thirty-five years later, in 1898, this cannon was captured by American forces during the Philippine Campaign of the Spanish-American War.

In May 1899, the City of Deadwood, under Mayor Sol Star, petitioned and successfully acquired this cannon from the Bureau of Ordnance, Department of the Navy. On July 6, 1899, the cannon

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arrived in Deadwood. Two days later the cannon was paraded down Main Street and presented to the City in front of numerous spectators. Five months passed before the City received a carriage, created by the Black Hills Manufacturing Company in Deadwood. The cannon and carriage were then permanently placed in front of the Deadwood High School on January 28, 1900 where it has remained ever since.

In 2011, the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission rehabilitated the carriage and base. Today, the cannon is a silent reminder of Lawrence County and South Dakota's participation in the first American war fought on foreign soil.

Erected by The Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Spanish-American. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 44° 22.531′ N, 103° 43.915′ W. Marker is in Deadwood, South Dakota, in Lawrence County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Pine Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Located at the top of the steps to the school. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 716 Main St, Deadwood SD 57732, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. School District #02 (a few steps from this marker); Deadwood Changing -- 1884, 1909 and Now (a few steps from this marker);

Marker detail: Blueprint of Queen Isabella II royal crest image. Click for full size.

Andalucia National Archive

2. Marker detail: Blueprint of Queen Isabella II royal crest

This was one of 85 documents acquired from the Andalucia National Archive in 2010 outlining the history of the cannon.

Serving the Black Hills (within shouting distance of this marker); Deadwood's Carnegie Library (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Deadwood’s Grand Bandstand (about 300 feet away); Black Hills Trust and Savings Bank (about 400 feet away); History Buried Beneath Your Feet (about 400 feet away); Saint Ambrose Parish (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deadwood.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Deadwood Spanish-American War Memorials

Also see . . . Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War, 1898-1902. On April 21, 1898, the United States declared war against Spain. The causes of the conflict were many, but the immediate ones were America's support of Cuba's ongoing struggle against Spanish rule and the mysterious explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor. It would be the first overseas war fought by the United States, involving campaigns in both Cuba and the Philippine Islands. (Submitted on August 3, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Letter dated June 21, 1899 regarding the provenance of the cannon image. Click for full size.

City of Deadwood Archives

3. Marker detail: Letter dated June 21, 1899 regarding the provenance of the cannon

Spanish-American War Memorial in new location (on right ). image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Connor Olson, October 5, 2021

4. Spanish-American War Memorial in new location (on right ).

1862 Spanish Cannon (<i>view from marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 11, 2018

5. 1862 Spanish Cannon (view from marker)

1862 Spanish Cannon (<i>side view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 11, 2018

6. 1862 Spanish Cannon (side view)

1862 Spanish Cannon (<i>carriage detail</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 11, 2018

7. 1862 Spanish Cannon (carriage detail)

Street view of the marker on the left with the cannon on the right image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Connor Olson, October 6, 2021

8. Street view of the marker on the left with the cannon on the right

Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 220 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on October 6, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on August 2, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on August 3, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4. submitted on October 6, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. 5, 6. submitted on August 3, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7. submitted on August 14, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 8. submitted on October 6, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.