Castries, Saint Lucia — Caribbean Region (Lesser Antilles)
The “Cannon” at Walcott Place
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, April 20, 2018
1. The “Cannon” at Walcott Place Marker
The intersections of Chaussee Rd., Chisel St. and Mary-Ann St form this tiny rectangular "island" green.
For many years, this place has been known as the "Cannon." One immediately imagines an old cannon located on the spot, and of course wonder why a cannon might have been placed there to begin with as it does not appear to be a particularly strategic location.
However, the name in fact originates from that of a tree. You may immediately think of a "cannonball" tree, but not so! The name is a corruption of a tree known in French as canang or in Kweyol as kannanng.
There was a tree planted here that predated the 1948 fire which devastated the city of Castries. Such trees had flowers known as ylang-ylang, sweet smelling and used for making perfume. You may then appreciate the scientific name, cananga odorata.
After the 1948 fire, the tree made way for a large water tank, installed as part of a strategy to prevent future devastation from fire. Someone painted an image of a pirate on tank, with his ship's cannon. And so the association was reinforced in people’s minds that a cannon once stood there. The tank was then called “the pirate”. Today, the pirate is no more and a new kannanng has been replanted
this page online
The plant was kindly donated by Mr. James Shingleton-Smith of Mamiku Gardens.
Saint Lucia National Trust
Protecting Fair Helen's Patrimony
Erected 2016 by Saint Lucia National Trust.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Disasters • Environment. A significant historical date for this entry is January 21, 2016.
Location. 14° 0.461′ N, 60° 59.27′ W. Marker is in Castries. Marker is at the intersection of Chausee Road and Mary Ann Street, on the left when traveling north on Chausee Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Castries LC04 301, Saint Lucia. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Derek Walcott Square (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Sir William Arthur Lewis (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Hon. Derek Alton Walcott (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Sir John George Melvin Compton (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); World Wars Memorial (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Jean Baptiste Bideau (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Simon Bolivar (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Holy Trinity Anglican Church Foundation Stone (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Castries.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, April 20, 2018
2. The “Cannon” at Walcott Place Marker
The donated canang tree can be seen to the right in this view of the marker.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, April 20, 2018
3. The Walcott House at 17 Chausee Road, mentioned in the marker text
The Walcott House is now a museum dedicated to the Walcott Family. The Walcott Brothers, Roderick and Derek, grew up here. Roderick was a playwright and his brother Derek a Nobel Prize winning author and scholar. The museum is currently only open for special events.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2018. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 20, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.
