I know the Highlands cannon was taken out of commission permanently after the accident last season. Even though privately owned, it is maybe the most recognizable piece of Highlands lore that it serves almost as an HHS trademark. It seems unnatural not having it around when the Bluebirds play. I can only imagine how much more so for their fans and team.

 

So, I was wondering what the plan was for the thing. It certainly has been a big part of the Bluebird history over a long period of time. Is there any plan to display it or will it be kept under wraps?

 

I was thinking they might turn it into some type of memorial. I know some teams have an icon of sorts that they place close to the field and the players and fans can see it and touch it an be reminded of what it stands for. I think it would be appropriate to display it and erect a plaque or something showing the history of the cannon and the HHS record during the cannon years, etc. It would be something inspirational the players could touch on their way to the field or something like that.

 

I'd like to think it could be used in some way to serve as a motivational object, rather than let it go out under bad circumstances, with it's last act of service being a dark memory.

 

 

On a related note, I'd like to hear the history of the cannon, where it came from, how long it has been in service, how many victories and losses during those years, any interesting stories, etc.

I do like the idea of it being at the field. It could be like the rock at the top of the hill at Clemson. Every player touches it as they enter the field.

 

You are correct, 2C, that it is tightly associated with the Birds football program.

Funny this thread came up. Just sitting around the other day talking cannon stories with some of the ole timers. Some of those stories are real dozzies.:lol:

I know that from an extreme outsiders perspective, it is one of the first things mentioned when anyone talks about Highlands. Going as far back as the 70's, when football discussions involve the Blubirds, one of the first things people always talk about is that "dang" cannon. :lol:

 

I'm sure it was the first of its kind in KY to be used with a high school football team, right? Maybe the nation?

I know that from an extreme outsiders perspective, it is one of the first things mentioned when anyone talks about Highlands. Going as far back as the 70's, when football discussions involve the Blubirds, one of the first things people always talk about is that "dang" cannon. :lol:

 

I'm sure it was the first of its kind in KY to be used with a high school football team, right? Maybe the nation?

 

Can't answer that but I do know the first time it was fired at Highlands was in 1968 during the Highlands vs. Cov. Cath. game.

Sell it as scrap metal.

Can't answer that...

 

Hey, I was counting on you for answers. :irked:

 

Raise your hand if you had the opportunity to play at the Fort and had the heck scared out of you by the cannon.

 

Hand raised!!

Raise your hand if you had the opportunity to play at the Fort and had the heck scared out of you by the cannon.

 

Hand raised!!

 

Oh, the memories!

 

I was a freshman band goon in the late 70's, waiting by the cannon to go on the field at halftime, and the Birds scored a touchdown. The cannon guys yelled "watch out!" and before we could move more than a foot or two, they fired it off.

 

Never made that mistake again.:banana:

I know the Highlands cannon was taken out of commission permanently after the accident last season. Even though privately owned, it is maybe the most recognizable piece of Highlands lore that it serves almost as an HHS trademark. It seems unnatural not having it around when the Bluebirds play. I can only imagine how much more so for their fans and team.

 

So, I was wondering what the plan was for the thing. It certainly has been a big part of the Bluebird history over a long period of time. Is there any plan to display it or will it be kept under wraps?

 

I was thinking they might turn it into some type of memorial. I know some teams have an icon of sorts that they place close to the field and the players and fans can see it and touch it an be reminded of what it stands for. I think it would be appropriate to display it and erect a plaque or something showing the history of the cannon and the HHS record during the cannon years, etc. It would be something inspirational the players could touch on their way to the field or something like that.

 

I'd like to think it could be used in some way to serve as a motivational object, rather than let it go out under bad circumstances, with it's last act of service being a dark memory.

 

 

On a related note, I'd like to hear the history of the cannon, where it came from, how long it has been in service, how many victories and losses during those years, any interesting stories, etc.

 

What kind of accident caused the cannon to be decommissioned?

What kind of accident caused the cannon to be decommissioned?

 

A member of the cannon crew had an accident while firing the cannon during the send off before the 2008 State Championship game.

I also played at Highlands (Lloyd Player) and it scared me everytime even if I new it would go off. And even now if I had to scout at Highlands I could never prepare my self for it even knowing it was going to go off. Best ever was when the cannon travled to Ft Wright on a Saturday afternoon at CovCath and know one new we were sitting in the stands ready to scout and it went off and I almost died. It was a real shocker. Also back in the late 60's Boone County Rebels had one also. JD

Ryles old cannon now fires at Centre College football games.

Raise your hand if you had the opportunity to play at the Fort and had the heck scared out of you by the cannon.

 

Hand raised!!

 

 

And what really made us long timers chuckle was that we didn't even flinch even when we didn't know it was going to be fired. :laugh:

^The house I grew up in was about 75 feet from a set of railroad tracks. It always surprised me when somebody spent the night and the train bothered them, I didn't even notice it. :thumb:

 

 

Still, the Highlands cannon scared the crap out of me.

 

 

So, anybody know if there are any plans for the cannon?