Description:

Shortly after the Civil war monument was moved from the Mt Pleasant cemetery to the mall behind the Abbott Memorial Library, the local Grand Army of the Republic Post (Civil War veterans) acquired two Civil war cannons. It is believed that the cannons were naval guns and one was placed on a granite base next to the Civil War monument and the other was placed on the opposite side from the first cannon. Both cannons were facing west towards the libary building. These two cannons remained in their respective spots until 1944, when during World War 2, the town decided to scrap the 2 cannons for the war effort. All that remains is a granite base by the Civil War monument in the centre of Dexter by the town hall.
As a replacement, the town was given a World war 1 field piece, which stood on the library mall in front of the town hall. This remained on the site until the 1980’s when it was moved up to the local armoury on Prospect Street to make room for a new monument honouring veterans of the two World Wars and Korea. The cannon was removed to Fort Devens in Massachusetts at some point by the army. A general there restored the piece and it may still be there.
The town did attempt to get the cannon returned but was unsuccessful.
When the new Veterans Park was created on Dam Street, a Vietnam era howitzer was acquired to replace the lost World War I cannon. Thus, Dexter has acquired military cannons three times and lost them twice over the last 120 years.