Bomb squad at Memorial Park: Part of WWI-era artillery shell found in Houston

HOUSTON - The bomb squad conducted a detonation at Houston’s Memorial Park after part of a WWI-era artillery shell was found in a wooded area on Monday.

Artillery shell found at Memorial Park

According to Houston police, the object was found in the woods near the 2500 block of W. Memorial Loop.

Memorial Park Conservancy says the object was found during site preparation for the construction of Memorial Groves, and archaeologists determined it was part of an artillery shell. 

Bomb squad officers responded to the scene. They conducted a detonation.

Police say there is no threat to the public.

WWI history in Memorial Park

The backstory:

The land that Memorial Park now sits on was once a military training base.

During WWI, the U.S. War Department leased 7,600 acres of land along Buffalo Bayou for Camp Logan, according to the Memorial Park Conservancy. 

Part of that land later became Memorial Park. According to the Texas Historical Commission, the park was named as a tribute to the soldiers who fought in Europe.

What they're saying:

"As part of site preparation for Memorial Groves, a section of Memorial Park dedicated to honoring the 70,000 soldiers who trained at Camp Logan during World War I, a metal cylinder artifact was uncovered. Archaeologists analyzed the object and determined it to be part of an artillery shell. Memorial Park Conservancy would like to thank the Houston Police Department for their swift efforts in safely securing the device. Memorial Groves, the 100-acre site along West Memorial Loop Drive, contains the largest number of Camp Logan archaeological finds within Memorial Park. The roads are now open, and more information about Memorial Groves is linked here," Chris Ballard, President & CEO of Memorial Park Conservancy, said in a statement.