The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department and the Fort King Heritage Association will host a special event Thursday, May 10 at 1:30 p.m. at the Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St.
Post Date:05/07/2018 1:55 PM
OCALA, Fla. (May 7, 2018) – The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department and the Fort King Heritage Association will host a special event Thursday, May 10 at 1:30 p.m. at the Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St., to announce the addition of a cannon to the Fort King property. The cannon will be available on-site for those in attendance to view during this special event.
The cannon is a model one 1841 bronze mountain howitzer mounted on a field carriage with 41-inch wheels. These were used from the mid-1830s through the Indian wars in the 1870s. The tube is solid cast bronze approximately 38 inches long with a 4 1/2-inch bore and is fully functional. The cannon attaches to a full-scale limber with two ammunition boxes and comes with all the accoutrements for operating the gun, including the worm, the rammer, gauntlets, thumbstall, muzzle cover, powder prick and everything needed to fire the gun. The cannon also comes with a correct grease bucket and water bucket. The cannon is a correct period replica with a chambered breach and is a direct copy of the one in the Smithsonian, according to staff.
“We are very pleased to be able to share the history of the Fort King site and make that history come alive through interactive items, such as this cannon,” said Keifer Calkins, Outdoor/Historical Resource Program Coordinator, City of Ocala Recreation and Parks. “This cannon is a great step in our ongoing dedication to bring the living history of Fort King to the people of Ocala/Marion County.”
The purchase of this cannon was made possible by a grant from the Felburn Foundation. The cannon will be on display in the Visitor Center at the Fort King National Historic Landmark and will be utilized during living history events and other special events at the property.
This event is free and open to the public.
The Fort King National Historic Landmark is open to the public daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hours at the Visitors Center may vary. For more information, please call 352-368-5533.
For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at 352-368-5517.
