Uncovering History: Stunning 1870s Cannons and German Artillery Discovered During B.C. Construction!

After years of speculation, an exciting discovery has emerged at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) grounds in Vancouver. Recently, construction crews found a German cannon from World War I while building the new Freedom Mobile Arch amphitheatre. Alongside this, several artifacts, including two cannons from the 1870s, were uncovered during a sewer installation.

James Calhoun, curator at the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Museum, noted that rumors about buried German guns at the PNE had circulated for years. “This recent find confirms what many have suspected,” he said. The artifacts, including various captured machine guns and the howitzer, have been moved for preservation and study.

Historically, these guns were considered “trophies” from the war, scattered across Canada after they were captured. The Vancouver Exhibition Association, which later evolved into the PNE, expressed interest in these trophies. However, plans for a permanent exhibit were sidelined by economic struggles during the Great Depression.

In the 1930s, about 15 artillery pieces found a home at Hastings Park, while others were discarded. “Our attitudes toward these artifacts changed over the years. What was once valuable became seen as junk,” Calhoun explained. A newspaper piece from the 1940s hinted that remaining artifacts were shoved into a ravine, effectively burying them.

Fast forward to today, and these discoveries have sparked renewed interest. Calhoun mentioned that experts believe as many as nine additional artillery pieces and ten machine guns might still be buried in the grounds. Among them, a rare 210-mm Morser, once displayed at Stanley Park, is a prime target for future excavations.

Geordie Howe, an archaeologist with the Vancouver Park Board, expressed his surprise at the find. “In nearly 50 years of work, discovering military artifacts in a place I grew up playing has been quite an experience,” he said. This ongoing project not only breaks new ground historically but also illuminates the often-overlooked narratives of our past.

As excavations continue, Vancouver’s PNE grounds are not just a site of amusement but a treasure trove of history waiting to be explored. For more information on military artifacts and their significance, you can explore resources from the Canadian War Museum.

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