History and modern manufacturing are colliding in the Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD) Career and Technical Education (CTE) Welding and Manufacturing class. In a unique partnership with Osceola Township, CTE students are currently restoring a historic cannon that has long been a fixture of the Dollar Bay community.
The project began when the Osceola Township Veterans’ Ad Hoc Committee approached the CCISD seeking assistance. The cannon, originally located at the Dollar Bay park, had fallen into significant disrepair. The original wooden carriage had rotted and fallen apart, leaving the heavy barrel grounded.
Leading the restoration is Liam Tourtilott, a senior from Dollar Bay High School enrolled in the CCISD’s CTE Welding and Manufacturing program at the Career Tech Center in Hancock. For Tourtilott, the project is personal. He is rebuilding a piece of history that sits in his own hometown.
“All of the pieces of the cannon came separately. The cannon carriage and wheels had to be designed in CAD and are now being replaced with all steel components that will last longer,” said Tourtilott, who has been working on the project for three months.
The project requires advanced skills, utilizing Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to reverse-engineer the original wooden structure and fabricate a durable steel replica that maintains the historical aesthetic while ensuring longevity. Tourtilott’s goal was to have the fabrication completed by April.
“That’s probably the coolest thing about it, is that people will see it and appreciate it,” Tourtilott added. “I’ll get to see it every day and think, ‘Wow, I really built that.’”
The project highlights a core mission of the CCISD’s CTE program: providing students with hands-on opportunities to solve real-world problems.
“This project is the perfect example of what Career and Technical Education is all about,” said Peter Murr, CCISD CTE Welding and Manufacturing Instructor. “It challenges students like Liam to take a complex problem, like recreating a historical wooden structure using modern metal design and fabrication techniques, and to apply their skills in a way that directly benefits our community. It’s hands-on history and minds-on engineering combined, and it’s great to see the professional work Liam is producing.”
The restoration is part of a larger effort to revitalize the Veterans’ Memorial site in Osceola Township. Led by Committee Chairperson Judy Odgers and Township Supervisor Mark Halkola, the committee recently oversaw the replacement of the decayed World War II-era Veterans’ Memorial, which was dedicated in July 2023.
The replica cannon, originally owned by the Wetton family and donated to the township years ago, is scheduled to be rededicated this coming July 4th.
“Our committee was incredibly impressed. Seeing the students' dedication firsthand was inspiring. We are entrusting the next generation with a piece of the Wetton family’s legacy, and they are ensuring it will stand tall for the community to enjoy. It is a wonderful way to honor our history while supporting the education of our local students," said Jim Huovinen, a member of the ad hoc committee.
Photos are being taken throughout the repair process to document the historical preservation of the wheels and carriage.