Today, still using the original 2 anvils and themetal rod from a windmill to light the gunpowder.
The tradition of the anvil shoot started in 1918 at the end of World War I when a local blacksmith wanted to celebrate and notify the town that the war was over.
The armistice was signed into effect in Versailles, France, on the eleventh month, eleventh day at the eleventh hour. Thus Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. in France is 5 a.m. Texas time, which is when the anvil shoot starts in Hamilton.
The anvil shoot consists of taking two anvils, placing black powder on one, then placing another anvil upside down on the first anvil, and setting off the black powder. The top anvil is blasted several feet into the air, and as you can imagine, this makes a lot of noise.
Anvil shoots were held in communities around the country to celebrate the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918. In Hamilton, local blacksmiths continued the tradition for some time until the local American Legion post picked up the tradition.
For many years following the end of World War I, anvil shoots continued to be common around the country on Armistice Day and later, Veterans Day. However, it is believed that the Hamilton American Legion Posts’ anvil shoot is the only one still being held.
I can honestly say "Only in Texas."
All information from WFAA News, I Forge Iron Forum, Hamilton Herald News
3 comments:
Wow. Now this is something I've never heard of!
What an odd celebration. Shooting anvils sounds a bit bizarre.
Shooting advils sounds awesome! I bet hundreds of dogs run away from home on veterans day like they do around here on the Forth of July.
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