Stony Creek in Sussex County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Confederate Cannon
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 8, 2026
1. This Confederate Cannon Marker
This Confederate cannon was found, removed from Stony Creek, and set upon this base by Charles Richard Williams, engineer and contractor who built the first double track railroad bridge during 1911 and 1912.
Erected 1912 by Charles Richard Williams.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 36° 56.885′ N, 77° 24.076′ W. Marker is in Stony Creek, Virginia, in Sussex County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Flatfoot Road, on the left when traveling north on Main Street. Marker is at the northeast corner of the parking lot for the businesses across the street. The parking lot is one-way so visitors coming from the north will need to pass the marker and turn into the parking lot on the right. Visitors from the south will encounter the parking lot, on their left, before reaching the marker. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12441 Main Street, Stony Creek VA 23882, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Coastal Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: History At Stony Creek (approx. half a mile away); Sappony Church (approx. 2.9 miles away); Sappony Baptist Church (approx. 2.9 miles away); Prince George County / Sussex County
this page online
Regarding Confederate Cannon. The cannon is a 4.62-inch siege rifle manufactured by Bellona Arsenal (south of the James River, west of Richmond) in 1862. It is the only surviving example of the "Gorgas" type, a specific siege rifle copy manufactured only by Bellona and Richmond's Tredegar Foundry. The rifle shows signs of having its firing hole spiked and is presumed to have been thrown into the creek at the end of the Civil War. The current railroad bridge over Stony Creek appears to be the same 1911-12 double-track bridge mentioned in the marker - it replaced an early 1890s single-track version.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 8, 2026
2. This Confederate Cannon Marker
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 8, 2026
3. This Confederate Cannon Marker
View east of 12441 Main Street, the nearest address to this marker.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 8, 2026
4. Firing Hole Damage
This hole is not supposed to be this large. The squared-off shape is eerily similar to the shape of a structural spike that could have been hammered in to damage the opening.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 8, 2026
5. CSX (formerly SAL) Railroad Bridge at Stony Creek
This bridge is at the same crossing site that the railroad has traditionally used throughout Stony Creek's history, including during the Civil War when the Petersburg-Weldon Railroad crossed here. The type is Warren Truss, a popular style from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Presumably this is the same 1911-12 bridge described in the marker, as it is double-tracked, but its age has not been definitively established by newspapers or railroad enthusiast sources so it may be, at least in part, newer.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 18, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
