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Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Rodman Gun

Seacoast 8-inch Converted Rodman

— US Model 1861 Serial Number 5 —

 
 
Rodman Gun Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
1. Rodman Gun Marker
Inscription.
This piece was originally a 10-inch, smooth bore gun. It was converted in 1876 at the West Point foundry, New York, to an 8-inch rifle by inserting a rifled steel tube in the barrel. This particular conversion process was a failure as the system literally blew apart. The weapon is made of cast iron, weighs 15,970 pounds, has a length of 137 inches and a diameter of 35 inches. The ordnance inspector was Lt. Charles Sidney Smith.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
 
Location. 37° 0.262′ N, 76° 18.686′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in Fort Monroe. It is at the intersection of Ingalls Road and Ruckman Road, on the left when traveling south on Ingalls Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Monroe VA 23651, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Peninsula and 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 walking distance of this marker: Fort Monroe (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Rodman Gun (a few steps from this marker); Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Rodman Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); Escape To Freedom (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Freedom’s Fortress
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(about 300 feet away); Fort Monroe Arsenal (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Fort Monroe (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hampton.
 
Also see . . .
1. Fort Monroe (Stone Fort) National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (pdf file). (Submitted on August 19, 2019.)
2. Fort Monroe National Monument, National Park Service. (Submitted on August 19, 2019.)
 
Rodman Gun image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
2. Rodman Gun
Fort Monroe Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
3. Fort Monroe Marker
Ordinance at Fort Monroe image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 11, 2008
4. Ordinance at Fort Monroe
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 742 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 15, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
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Jun. 17, 2026