Fort Sumter Cannons found In Portland

By Debbie and Randy Coe

It is hard to believe that it has been 150 years since the start of the Civil War. On April 12, 1861, Fort Sumter was fired upon by the provisional Confederates that were led by Beauregard. This is regarded as the start of the Civil War.

When we think back to that time period, it is amazing to think that there have been so many changes in our society since then. We really appreciate the advantages given to us today because of all the people that were in the war. It would be even more meaningful if you could visit some of the sites where the battles were fought.

For those who live in the areas where the battles were fought, this could be an easy task. Living in the Pacific NW, we thought that was an impossible opportunity until we learned about some important mementos that are located in downtown Portland. When we learned about this, we made a trip into Portland to see what we had been missing.

How many times have we been in downtown Portland without knowing how close we were to Civil War items? Lownsdale Square is located between 3rd and 4th in one direction and between Salmon and Main going the other way. It was founded in 1869 to honor Daniel Lownsdale, an early Oregon pioneer. In this area is the Soldiers Monument, which honors those that fought in the Spanish American war. On the top is a statue of a soldier. At the base are two cannons, one of which faces north and the other south. On the cannon that faces north is a plaque that says: “Howitzers Used In Defense of Fort Sumpter 1861.” It is interesting to note that the name of the fort was misspelled when the plaque was made.

So how in the world do Civil War cannons end up in Portland? It was because of one man, Henry Dosch, who had served in the Missouri army. In December 1901, Dosch traveled to see the Oregon exhibit at the world’s fair being held in Charleston.

While there, he decided to go see the city’s harbor and visit Fort Sumter. A chance walk on the beach, enabled Dosch to come across two cannons that were partially buried in the sand. He learned that these two cannons had been used in defense of the fort.

A memorial was being planned in Portland to honor soldiers and Dosch thought these would make a nice addition. He wrote a request to the War Department asking for permission to bring the cannons to Portland to be part of the exhibit.

After obtaining the right to the remove them from the beach, Dosch oversaw them being loaded up to be sent to Portland. Initially, the cannons were located at city hall. After the Soldiers Monument was established in 1906, the cannons were moved there to be mounted at the base. Since the cannons were used at Fort Sumter when it was occupied by both the Union and Confederate armies, it was decided to point one north and the other south as a tribute to all that served.

Journey to downtown Portland sometime to see these Civil War cannons located in our own backyard.

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