Erie in Erie County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Oliver Hazard Perry
"We have met the enemy and they are ours"
Hazard
Perry
"We have met
the enemy and
they are ours
Dedicated
to the Pennsylvanians
who built and served
aboard Perry's Erie-based
ships for the decisive
Battle of Lake Erie
September 10, 1813
Erected
August 23, 1985
to honor the
two hundredth birthday
of the
hero of the
Battle of Lake Erie
Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry
Born August 23, 1785 South Kingston, Rhode Island
Died August 23, 1819 Port of Spain, Trinidad
"The statue is designed to represent Perry...
as he appeared in that supreme moment of his life, when he had just gained the deck of the Niagara before he had recovered his knocked-off cap, and while in distinct succession he was giving orders to... 'bear down on the enemy's line' ...orders which infused new enthusiasm into all the American crews..."
This statue
erected on the bicentennial of Perry's Birth
August 23, 1985
by the
Erie County Historical
this page online
through a grant from
The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission
with the assistance of
State Assemblyman Bernard J. Dombrowski
and additional major contributions from
Erie Insurance Group The City of Erie E.E. Austin & Son Captain Thomas B. Hagen The First National Bank of Pennsylvania The Hammermill Foundation J. Robert Baldwin The Times Publishing Company Marine Bank Erie Council of the Navy League Zurn Industries
Rear Admiral William A. Walsh, U.S. Navy
Unveiled by
Commander Oliver Hazard Perry, III, U.S. Navy
Commodore Perry Bicentennial Committee
Captain Thomas B. Hagen, Chairman
The Flagship Niagara League, Dr. M. Roy Strausbaught and Fred Langill City of Newport, R.I., Patrick J. Kirby, Mayor U.S.
Podium design, Merle T. Westlake, AIA, the Stubbins Associates, Architects, Cambridge, MA. Statue foundry, Tallix, Inc., Peekskill, N.Y.
Perry's famous battle flag with the dying words of his friend, Captain James Lawrence of the frigate Chesapeake.
Made by a group of Erie women led by Margaret Forster Stewart in her East 4th Street home.
Erected 1985 by Erie County Historical Society.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is September 10, 1813.
Location. 42° 7.793′ N, 80° 5.047′ W. Memorial is in Erie, Pennsylvania, in Erie County. It is at the intersection of French Street and East 6th Street, on the right when traveling south on French Street. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 650 French Street, Erie PA 16501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast, on the Great Lakes, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Edison Fountain (a few steps from this marker); Perry Square (a few steps from this marker); Main Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Harry T. Burleigh (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gideon Ball House (about 400 feet away); Boston Store Livery & Garage (about 600 feet away); Historic Erie Flagpole (about 600 feet away); Colt Way (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Erie.
Photographed by Martin J. Heade, 1855
6. Oliver Hazard Perry
This 1855 portrait of Oliver Hazard Perry by Martin J. Heade hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.
“We have met the enemy and they are ours, came the terse report from twenty-eight-year-old Oliver Hazard Perry after the first major naval victory of the War of 1812. The American navy, with Perry in command of the flagship Lawrence, had met the mighty British squadron at Lake Erie on September 10, 1813, winning control of the lake and paving the way for General William Henry Harrison to move ahead to victory on land.
Perry had been assigned the task of building a fleet and assembling a crew, which he described as a motley set, blacks, Soldiers, and boys. But after the battle he spoke highly of the bravery and good conduct of the negroes, who formed a considerable part of his crew. They seemed to be absolutely insensible to danger.” -- National Portrait Gallery
“We have met the enemy and they are ours, came the terse report from twenty-eight-year-old Oliver Hazard Perry after the first major naval victory of the War of 1812. The American navy, with Perry in command of the flagship Lawrence, had met the mighty British squadron at Lake Erie on September 10, 1813, winning control of the lake and paving the way for General William Henry Harrison to move ahead to victory on land.
Perry had been assigned the task of building a fleet and assembling a crew, which he described as a motley set, blacks, Soldiers, and boys. But after the battle he spoke highly of the bravery and good conduct of the negroes, who formed a considerable part of his crew. They seemed to be absolutely insensible to danger.” -- National Portrait Gallery
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 14, 2018
7. Sign for Perry Square, where the statue of Oliver Hazard Perry is located
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 816 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 16, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 6. submitted on April 19, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7. submitted on April 16, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
