Tampa Landmarks · University of Tampa United Spanish American War Veterans CannonPlant Park, University of Tampa — an 8-inch coastal defense cannon pointing south toward Cuba, placed on the exact ground where the Rough Riders assembled in 1898 ✦ ✦ ✦Standing in Plant Park at the University of Tampa, this impressive turn-of-the-century coastal defense cannon memorializes the Spanish-American War and symbolically points south toward Cuba — placed on the very ground where Roosevelt's Rough Riders, Wheeler's Cavalry, and the first Florida troops assembled before departing for war in 1898. The MonumentThe monument consists of an eight-inch (203mm) coastal defense cannon mounted on a monumental stone base with eight inscribed faces. It was erected in November 1927 by Gen. Joe Wheeler Camp No. 2, Department of Florida, United Spanish American War Veterans — placed deliberately on the site that served as headquarters for the Rough Riders, Wheeler's Cavalry, and the first Florida troops as they assembled in Tampa in preparation for Cuba. The cannon's base inscriptions span the full sweep of the war's meaning — from the rallying cry "Remember the Maine" to a moving tribute to the reunion of North and South in a common cause, to the commemoration of Admiral Dewey's decisive victory at Manila Bay. The Cannon's HistoryTwo Cannons, One MonumentThe base inscription describes the original gun as an eight-inch cannon on a "disappearing carriage" taken from Fort Dade — an old coast defense fort on Egmont Key at the mouth of Tampa Bay. That original cannon was placed here in November 1927. During World War II, the original Fort Dade gun was donated to a steel scrap drive to support the war effort. After the war, a replacement eight-inch cannon of similar vintage was obtained from Fort Morgan, Alabama, and installed on the 1927 memorial's vacant foundation. The replacement gun is mounted on the top portion of a railway gun carriage dating from World War I — rather than the disappearing carriage of the original.
The Eight InscriptionsThe monumental stone base has eight faces, each bearing a separate inscription. Together they tell the full story of the monument, the war, and the men who served. Face 1
This spot was headquarters for Roosevelt Rough Riders, Wheeler Cavalry and the First Florida Troops 1898 Face 2
This war brought the Blue of the cold bleak North and the Gray of the sunny South into one great Brotherhood and Liberty to an oppressed people. Face 3
Remember the Maine Face 4
Admiral George Dewey — Victor of the Battle of Manila Bay, May 1, 1898 Face 5
Erected here in 1927 by Gen. Joe Wheeler Camp No. 2, Dept. of Florida, U.S.W.V. Face 6
Presented to Tampa as a memorial to those who served in the War with Spain Face 7
This gun erected at Fort Dade for the defense of Tampa in 1898 Face 8 — Committee
Chairman Adjutant W.E. Clum · Past Dept. Com. W.A. Joughin · Camp Com. James R. Brown · Past Coms. Ed. Kane, J.W. Sullivan · Honorary Member D.B. McKay LocationPlant Park — University of Tampa
Coordinates: 27° 56.728′ N, 82° 27.876′ W |
