Georgetown in Georgetown County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
24 Pound Naval Gun
Circa 1800
Cast by the Hughes Foundry near Havre de Grace, Maryland about 1800. The Defense Act of 1794 authorized 180 similar guns to be manufactured. This gun is one of three known to exist today. Two similar guns are in Savannah, Georgia. This gun is marked with the Federal Eagle, serial number and weight. The gun weighs over 5000 pounds and is similar to guns that were used on the United States Frigate Constitution "Old Ironsides". Capable of shooting a 24 pound cannon ball about six inches in diameter for about one mile.
Found on the bank of the Sampit River during excavation for utility improvement behind the Rice Museum-Prevost Gallery in 1991. Its use since 1800 and reason to be in Georgetown are unknown.
Restored and preserved by the South Carolina Department of Archeology and Anthropology with funds provided by the Winyah Indigo Society of Georgetown.
Erected 1999.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.
Location. 33° 22.072′ N, 79° 17.182′ W. Marker is in Georgetown, South Carolina, in Georgetown County. It
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee and on Waccamaw Neck. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep 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: The Charters of Freedom (here, next to this marker); Kaminski House Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); City of Georgetown (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Hayne Rainey Park (within shouting distance of this
Photographed by Craig Swain, May 2, 2010
2. 24 Pound Naval Gun Marker
This is how the marker previously appeared.
Additional commentary.
1. Location
This Naval Gun is located in the Joseph Hayne Rainey Park at the corner of King Street in Front Street. The existing location description references a Post Office Building. While the building still exists, it is no longer a Post Office.
Editor's response: I am not understanding your requested correction. The page does not name the post office building. It merely states which zip code (post office delivery area) it is in.
— Submitted July 24, 2023, by Kent C Hermes of Georgetown, South Carolina.
Photographed by Craig Swain, May 2, 2010
4. 24 Pound Naval Gun and Marker
Photographed by Craig Swain, May 2, 2010
5. Cannon and Georgetown Tricentennial Marker
Photographed by Craig Swain, May 2, 2010
6. Close Up of the Eagle, Foundry Number, and Weight Markings
Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 11, 2013
7. 24 Pound Naval Gun Marker seen near Front Street
Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,613 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 28, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on May 6, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 28, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 6, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 7. submitted on May 12, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
