A Civil War coastal defense cannon was secured through the efforts of Judson Kilpatrick Post No. 36, G.A.R., and Congressman Chester I. Long. It was presented to Mayor George W. Young for the City of Newton by Hon. J. G. Wood of Topeka on behalf of Post No. 36 on October 4, 1899. At that ceremony, East Park was rededicated as Military Park, the name it still bears. On October 5, 1899, the citizens of Newton held a citywide celebration and parade in honor of the dedication of this Civil War memorial.