Millcreek Township near Erie in Erie County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2013

1. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument Marker (mounted waist-level on east side of monument)

Inscription. Opposite this spot, on the shores of Presque Isle Bay, Commodore Perry built his ships. The “Lawrence,” “Niagara,” “Ariel,” “Porcupine,” “Scorpion” & “Tigress.” On August 12, 1813, the fleet sailed and on September 10, 1813, at Put-in-Bay, defeated the British fleet under Commodore Barclay. After the battle, the wounded were brought back to Erie. A few years later the “Detroit”, and “Queen Charlotte” (captured British vessels) and the “Lawrence” and “Niagara” were sunk near this point in Misery Bay.

Erected 1926 by State of Pennsylvania.

Topics. This monument and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is September 10, 1813.

Location. 42° 9.306′ N, 80° 5.363′ W. Marker is near Erie, Pennsylvania, in Erie County. It is in Millcreek Township. Memorial can be reached from the intersection of Fisher Drive and Thompson Drive, on the right when traveling east. Monument and marker are located at the east end of Crystal Point in Presque Isle State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Erie PA 16507, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Perry Monument: A Beacon of the Community

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(a few steps from this marker); From the Bay to the Battle (a few steps from this marker); And the Misery begins… (within shouting distance of this marker); Son of the Sea (within shouting distance of this marker); Tribute to a Hero (within shouting distance of this marker); Erie's Industrial Explosion (within shouting distance of this marker); Fishing on the Sweet Sea (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Preparing For Battle (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Erie.

More about this monument. Marker is a large, rectangular, embossed metal tablet mounted at waist-level on the east side base of the 80-foot limestone monument, beneath another metal tablet with a bas-relief sculpture of Commodore Perry.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument, Presque Isle State Park

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Sculpture (<i>mounted above marker on east side of monument</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2013

2. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Sculpture (mounted above marker on east side of monument)

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument (<i>east side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2013

3. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument (east side)

Oliver Hazard Perry image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 16, 2015

4. 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

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument (<i>west side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2013

5. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument (west side)

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument<br>(<i>west side plaques legend</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2013

6. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument
(west side plaques legend)

Erected by the State of Pennsylvania
to Commemorate the Victory of
Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry
in the
Battle of Lake Erie
September 10, 1813

Perry Monument
Perry Memorial Commission
Appointed by Gov. Gifford Pinchot
David Nye McBrier • E. Maclay Gearhart
Harry W. Moomey • Frederick H. Schutte
Jane W. Pressly
William M. Spencer, Chairman
Fuller & Stickle and Paul P. Cret
Architects

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 346 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 15, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4. submitted on February 16, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5, 6. submitted on February 15, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.