Everywhere you look is history in Monroe. Have you ever driven into Recreation Park and notice this sweet little cannon near the park sign. For years children have been climbing on this old cannon not knowing where it came from.

The cannon on the metal base is really one of the few war trophies of its kind in the country. It is a gun from Spanish Admiral Cervera’s enemy battleship squadron, damaged and captured in sea action during the Spanish-American War. It is a 2,470-lb Naxiam-Nordfeldt, small rapid-firing 6-pounder that was taken from the wrecked Spanish flagship “Marie Theresa” in the battle off Santiago Bay, Cuba with the United States fleet, July 3, 1898. 

The entire Spanish fleet was destroyed. The Marie Theresa was sunk and later raised to be floated and put to sea under its own steam for the trip to Norfolk navy yard in September 1898. Wisconsin Congressman Henry Allan Cooper, by reason of his influence, had one gun trophy assigned to him for disposal. He decided to favor Monroe and presented it to the city. The gun was received in Monroe on June 1, 1899. It was badly battle-marked which enhanced its value as a real war specimen. 

The relic for many years stood in disrepair on various spots on the courthouse property. No pains were ever taken to give it proper mounting and the donating Congressman complained that there was no proper marker describing it and no proper protection. 

By order of the county board of supervisors, finding it was not county property, moved it to the entrance of Recreation Park, where it now sits largely unnoticed by park users. In December of 1942, the city park board settled the old gun onto a new foundation and it will be kept there in good condition under promise of the city council. Luchsinger Monument works donated the marker.

In this 1920s photo of the courthouse, the encircled cannon may be seen on the northside of courthouse.