Two Harbors in Lake County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
World War I German Cannon
(250 mm German Minenwerfer Howitzer)
the American Legion, September 1929.
This 250 m.m. German Minenwerfer howitzer was captured by the Americans in the World's War at St. Mihiel, France, September 16, 1918.
——————————
[New marker has text intermixed with photos]
This WWI German cannon was presented to the City of Two Harbors in 1929 by the American Legion. The Civil War cannon pictured below was on the court house lawn until being scrapped during WWII.
The community of Two Harbors and Lake County have always maintain[ed] close relations with its military veterans. Anderson Claffy Post #109 of the American Legion has been contributing to this community since it was organized in 1919. The post was organized honoring the name of Two Harbors native Oscar Anderson who was lost in action in at [sic] Ypres, France in 1917. The Charter was amended in 1945 to honor the memory of Charles Claffy a sailor lost off the Bataan Peninsula in 1941.
The Knaff Hospital (1899) was located on the 800 block of 5th Avenue. Dr Knaff was the railroad physician. When the government ordered troops to Two Harbors during WWI they used his hospital as a barracks. The troops were stationed here to protect the railroad from sabotage.
Troops in drill formation on 5th Avenue.
The American Legion placing the cornerstone for the Agate Bay Hotel (1924). In 1944 the Legion opened the lounge in the basement and would remain there until moving to the Sonju garage in 1984.
The Legion Memorial Forest, dedicated in 1932, was located in Silver Creek before being moved to Lakeview Park in Two Harbors.
The Lake County Service Honor Roll in Thomas Owens Park. Erected during WWII it stayed up through the 1950's.
Troops await their train outside the depot at Two Harbors, 1950's.
Erected by Anderson-Claffy American Legion Post No. 109 and Lake County Historical Society.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.
Location. 47° 1.282′ N, 91° 40.248′ W. Marker is in Two Harbors, Minnesota, in Lake County. Memorial is at the intersection of 6th Street (County Route 20) and 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north on 6th Street. Howitzer and markers are in Thomas Owens Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Two Harbors MN 55616, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Thomas Owens Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); 50th Anniversary of First Shipment of Iron Ore From Minnesota (within shouting distance of this marker); John Dwan Office Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Duluth and Iron Range Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Duluth Missabe & Iron Range Yellowstone Mallet #229 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Duluth and Iron Range Railroad Locomotive #3 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hand Car, Velocipede, Sleigh, Station Wagon (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ore Car #251, 1884 & Bobber Caboose #22 (#52), 1893 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Two Harbors.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 568 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 12, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.