Most people are so excited to get into the park that they hurry past two authentic, French cannons in Disneyland Town Square. Have you ever noticed them? How long have they been there? Are they just props, or are they the real deal? Stay tuned and I’ll tell you all about them.
Above is a picture of one of the cannons on the West side of Town Square, directly across from The Emporium.
History of the Disneyland French cannons
The two cannons in Disneyland Town Square are quite real and were originally made in Paris, France for the French Army sometime in the 1800’s. The Disney legend states that although they were used as artillery pieces by the French Army, they were never fired in a hostile manner. And, of course, before being installed in Disneyland Town Square, they were completely sealed and disarmed.
Walt Disney grew up in the small town of Marceline, Missouri, and their town square also featured some memorial cannons. Many towns contained a monument (statues, cannons or other landmarks) to the service men and women who lived there.
So it comes as no surprise that Disneyland installed two authentic cannons in its Town Square in preparation for opening day on July 17, 1955.
Here is a Wikipedia entry for a very similar French cannon, though not identical.
Click on the link below for a short, 2 minute video for more information on the Disneyland French Cannons …