The Centennial Cannon

by Barry Bauer

Pictured above is the famous Federal-Mogul Centennial Cannon. It appeared in the 1956 Centennial Parade and was accompanied by then plant manager, Bill Robertson. Reportedly, it scared the heck out of everybody whenever it was fired!

The cannon is 12½ inches long, 6 inches wide, and weighs 17½ pounds.

Some people thought the cannon used a blank shotgun shell but it turns out it didn’t. Just like the cannons in the old days, it’s ‘muzzle loaded.’ There’s a hole on the top and to the rear of the cannon for a fuse. It was probably loaded by adding a small amount of black powder that was held in place by a paper or cloth wad.

The cannon already has two Centennial celebrations under its belt because it appeared a year later in Fowler’s Centennial Parade.

The cannon was built in Federal-Mogul’s Toolroom. Pete Upham (at left) is credited with doing most of the lathe work on it. Rumor has it that there were more than one of these cannons built. When plant manager Bill Robertson was promoted, the cannon went with him. It was returned to the St. Johns plant by Bill’s daughter after he passed away.

It’s a good bet the cannon will make a ‘quiet’ appearance in St. Johns Sesquicentennial celebration next year.

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