Naperville in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Confederate Cannon

(Circa 1861)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

1. Confederate Cannon Marker

Inscription. This cannon was purchased from Willard Scott & Co. by the Village of Naperville on July 14, 1871. It is likely that the cannon was acquired through the influence of Willard Scott, Jr., a veteran of the Civil War. He served as a lieutenant in Company B, 105th Illinois Infantry. The 105th served under General Sherman as he marched troops across Georgia and the Carolinas.

This cannon was manufactured in the Noble Brothers Foundry in Rome, Georgia. It is a 954-pound, three-inch, rifle-bored, artillery gun of which very few still exist today.

Central Park has been home to the cannon since it was purchased in 1871. Originally mounted on a two-wheeled wooden carriage, it was moved about for special events. In 1909, the cannon was permanently mounted to a concrete foundation situated 50 feet north of its current location. There are numerous written accounts that attest to the cannon being fired for Independence Day celebrations, parades and other civic activities. At some point in its history, the cannon was retired and the barrel plugged.

In 2009, the cannon was restored and mounted on an aluminum carriage, a replica

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of the original wooden carriage. This restoration was made possible through the generous support of the City of Naperville, the Naperville Park District, the Rotary Club of Naperville and the Naperville Evening Kiwanis.

Erected 2009.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 14, 1871.

Location. 41° 46.423′ N, 88° 8.781′ W. Marker is in Naperville, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on Court Place near Van Buren Avenue. The cannon is on the southeast side of Naperville's Central Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 East Benton Avenue, Naperville IL 60540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also

Confederate Cannon in Naperville's Central Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

2. Confederate Cannon in Naperville's Central Park

the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: DuPage County Centennial (a few steps from this marker); Ronald J. Keller, Ph.D. (within shouting distance of this marker); Elmer Koerner (within shouting distance of this marker); Central Park Seating Improvements (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Concerto (within shouting distance of this marker); The Naperville Municipal Band (within shouting distance of this marker); DuPage County Soldiers and Sailors Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Baha'u'llah (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Naperville.

Regarding Confederate Cannon. Willard Scott was born to a settler family in Will County, Illinois, downriver from Naperville, where he went to schools. After the war, Scott took over his family's business and became one of Naperville's leading citizens: Naperville's fire marshal, a village trustee, village treasurer and, for two two-year terms, Naperville's mayor. He was also the first commander of Walter Blanchard Post No. 386 of the

Central Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

3. Central Park

The cannon is in the distance on the left side of the photo.

Grand Army of the Republic. He died in 1932 and is buried in Naperville Cemetery.

Also see . . .
1. Naperville’s Central Park: A Peek Into the Past. (Submitted on December 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Noble Foundry. From the Rome, Georgia, Office of Tourism.

Excerpt: "The Noble Foundry, built in the late 1850s by James R. Noble Sr., originally produced engines for mining and industry. With the onset of the Civil War, it quickly shifted to manufacturing war materials, becoming one of the few Southern factories capable of producing rifled cannons and complete artillery units."

(Submitted on December 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.