06/04/2026
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Boy Scout Saves Civil War Cannon: A Remarkable Piece of Steubenville History Restored!
A special thank you to Eric Hilty for sharing these incredible photos and the story behind his Eagle Scout project that brought a historic Civil War-era cannon back to life in 2006.
After discovering the cannon barrel abandoned in a maintenance garage, Eric led an ambitious restoration effort to rebuild its original carriage using archival blueprints, donated materials, community fundraising, and countless hours of hard work. During the restoration, the barrel revealed the stamp "STEUBEN ARTILLERY," suggesting it may have been manufactured right here in Steubenville.
The cannon, once used by the Steubenville Militia during the pursuit of Morganโs Raiders in 1863, now stands proudly restored thanks to Eric, his family, Troop 87, local businesses, and dedicated volunteers.
Today, Eric continues serving Jefferson County as a Professional Engineer and was elected Jefferson County Engineer in 2024. His commitment to preserving local history is an inspiration to us all.
๐ธ Thank you again, Eric, for preserving this important piece of Ohio and Civil War history!
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