Six cannonballs were brought to the station in this bucket (SBCSD photo)

Authorities in Apple Valley briefly closed the station after they saw the artifacts appeared to contain fuses and could potentially explode. They advised the public after the Feb. 12 incident to call them instead of transporting items.

“These were Civil war era cannon balls, six in total, with black powder inside and a Bormann time fuse,” Jenny Smith, a public information officer with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, wrote in a Feb. 18 email to the Picket

“Three of the six were 12 pounders and the other three were 16 pounders. When they were evaluated, the condition of the fuse was unknown due to the amount of rust.”

The ordnance had been kept by the male individual in a water-filled bucket, leading to the rust.

Smith did not know why the individual had the cannonballs, or whether they were part of a collection. 

After seeing the items that morning, Apple Valley Police Station personnel called the bombs and arson division and established a safety perimeter around the Dale Evans Parkway facility.

The bomb squad later destroyed the cannonballs, said Smith.

“There were no injuries reported, and at no time was there an immediate threat to the public beyond the controlled perimeter,” the sheriff’s department said in a news release.

“The Apple Valley Police Department appreciates the community’s cooperation and reminds residents that if a potentially explosive or military ordnance is discovered it should not be handled or transported. Instead, individuals should leave the item in place and contact law enforcement immediately.”

San Bernardino is not particularly associated with the Civil War, though there were Southern sympathizers and some Federal troops in the area.