Mayodan Mortar and Veterans Park, Mayodan
The centerpiece of the Mayodan Veterans Park is a World War One trench mortar. The Veterans Park is small, covering less than half a city block. The mortar is positioned near the park’s front left corner angled towards the corner. It rests on an octagonal concrete pad with metal posts, a chain and inscription stone. To the left is a short walkway of red brick pavers. Centered at the end is a flagpole with a low lectern shaped inscription stone.
Images:
Veterans Park in Maydon |
WWI mortar |
Mortar inscription |
Flagpole inscription |
Side view of the park |
Street view
Mortar inscription: THIS WWI MORTAR / WAS ORIGINALLY DEDICATED / TO MAYODAN VETERANS / OF THAT WAR / IT WAS REDEDICATED / TO ALL MAYODAN VETERANS / NOVEMBER 11, 2001
Flagpole inscription: THE MAYODAN PRESERVATION / LEAGUE RECOGNIZES AND / HONORS ALL THE VETERANS / OF MAYODAN WHO SERVED / OUR COUNTRY IN ORDER / THAT WE REMAIN FREE
Town of Mayodan
Circa 1924. Re-dedication: November 11, 2001
36.412110 , -79.966810
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"Veterans' Memorial Park" in Parks in Mayodan, Town of Mayodan, townofmayodan.com, (accessed September 28, 2021) Link
Carter, Michelle. “WWI Cannon to Adorn Town Park,” News & Record (Greensboro, NC), April 14, 2001
Yeadon, Tim. “Ceremonies to Honor Vets – The Largest Veterans,” News & Record (Greensboro, NC), November 11, 2001
“25cm Minewerfer (Heavy Trench Mortar, Early Short Pattern), Imperial War Museum, www.iwm.org.uk, (accessed September 28, 2021) Link
“Mayodan Hotel Through the Years,” YouTube.com, published Feb 9, 2020, (accessed September 28, 2021) Link
Yes
Steel mortar, granite inscription blocks, brick pavers, concrete
Mayodan Preservation League
“Mayodan Cannon”
The mortar also known as the “Mayodan Cannon” was originally presented to the community in honor of those who served in World War One. The mortar was originally placed at the corner of Third Avenue and Main Street in front of the former Mayodan Hotel owned by Washington Mills. In the 1960’s when the hotel was sold the mortar went with it. The new owners then sold it to a veterans organization in Lexington, NC. In the 1980’s, Mr. Otis Richardson tracked down the weapon’s location, purchased it, and was able to return it to Mayodan where he displayed it at his home on Main Street. Prior to his death in 1996, Mr. Richardson had expressed a desire to see the mortar used in a veterans memorial for Mayodan. That desire was fulfilled with dedication of the Mayodan Veterans Park in 2001.
In trying to identity the mortar it appears to be a German 25cm Heavy Trench Mortar. To confuse matters, photos were found online showing French troops using this type German mortar and identified as such.
Mayodan Veterans Park is located at 104 S. Second Ave., Mayodan, NC 27027.
The small park covers a street corner in downtown Mayodan, NC.
The mortar was originally placed at the corner of Third Ave. and Main Street in front of the former Mayodan Hotel which was owned by Washington Mills.
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