At a celebration in Willis Park on Friday afternoon, the City of Bainbridge recognized and showed its appreciation to Mr. C.A. “Bullet” Rykard of Hahira for the restoration of its Civil War cannon.
Mayor Pro Tem Don Whaley read a Proclamation and presented Mr. Rykard with a key to the city.
Several months ago, Rykard asked permission to remove the cannon and its carriage from Willis Park to take to his home so he could replace the rotten wood and wheels. The newly restored piece has been returned to Downtown Bainbridge and has been preserved for future generations to enjoy. The cannon is cast in bronze and was made in 1850 by the N.P. Ames Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts.
The wheels on the carriage are replicas of the originals and were hand-made in Pennsylvania and shipped to Georgia for use with this cannon. Friday’s celebration included the Presentation of Colors by the Bainbridge High School Junior ROTC and instrumental music was performed by the Strings Ensemble from Grace Christian Academy.
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