Altavista in Campbell County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Civil War Cannon

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026

1. Civil War Cannon Marker

Inscription. This smoothbore cannon muzzle was recovered at the site of the Old Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond, VA. After exploding during the Civil War, it was taken to the Iron Works and discarded. Many cannons similar to this one overlooked rivers defending Richmond and other sites from attack by Union gunboats.

Courtesy of Kevin, Margie and Gavin Dawson

Erected by Avoca Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 37° 7.8′ N, 79° 16.165′ W. Marker is in Altavista, Virginia, in Campbell County. It can be reached from Avoca Lane west of Main Street, on the right when traveling west. The Marker is located on the grounds of the Avoca Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1514 Main Street, Altavista VA 24517, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Altavista 9/11 Memorial (here, next to this marker); General James Dearing (a few steps from this marker); Uses for Avoca's Colonial Herb Garden (a few steps from this marker); Colonel Charles Lynch (a few steps from this marker); Herb Garden (a few steps from this marker); Smoke House

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(a few steps from this marker); Gen. James Dearing (within shouting distance of this marker); Hogsheads, Ward's Road, and Batteaux (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Altavista.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026

2. Civil War Cannon Marker

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026

3. Civil War Cannon Marker

Civil War Cannon image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026

4. Civil War Cannon

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026

5. Civil War Cannon

The Avoca Museum can be seen in the background.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026

6. Civil War Cannon

This canon was damaged in an explosion.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 11, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.