Montgomery in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Naval Heroes of the War of 1812

Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 12, 2016

1. Naval Heroes of the War of 1812 Marker (Side 1)

Inscription. The six streets which cross Dexter Avenue between Court Square and the State Capitol are named for Oliver Hazard Perry, James Lawrence, Thomas Macdonough, Issac Hull, Stephen Decatur and William Bainbridge, all naval officers of the War of 1812. Perry commanded American forces on Lake Erie in the War of 1812. There he won a decisive victory over the British on September 10, 1813, which gave control of the Great Lakes to the United States. Lawrence was captain of the frigate Chesapeake which engaged the British Navy frigate Shannon in a fierce battle on June 1, 1813. Mortally wounded by small arms fire, he ordered "Don't give up the ship!" as he was carried below. Macdonough commanded the American naval forces that defeated the British Navy at the Battle of Lake Champlain in 1814, forcing the British to retreat to Canada, a move which contributed to ending the war.

Hull commanded the American frigate Constitution when she engaged and defeated the British frigate Guerriere and won for the Constitution the name "Old Ironsides" because she came out of the action with so little injury. Decatur commanded the United States

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when, on October 25, 1812, she engaged and captured the British frigate Macedonian. Bainbridge commanded the frigate Constitution when she took to sea on the second of her War of 1812 cruises, and destroyed the British frigate Java in battle on December 29, 1812. All six men were elected to honorary membership in the Society of the Cincinnati in recognition of their heroism at sea. This marker was placed by the Society of the Cincinnati, the nation's oldest patriotic organization, founded by George Washington and his officers at the conclusion of the Revolutionary War.

Erected by the Society of the Cincinnati.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is June 1, 1813.

Location. 32° 22.647′ N, 86° 18.285′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County. It is at the intersection of Dexter Avenue and South McDonough Street, on the right when traveling east on Dexter Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Dexter Ave, Montgomery AL 36104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Naval Heroes of the War of 1812 Marker (Side 2) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 12, 2016

2. Naval Heroes of the War of 1812 Marker (Side 2)

this marker is in Alabama’s Tri-Counties River Region.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fred David Gray (within shouting distance of this marker); The Capital City Guards (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The E. L. Posey Parking Lot (about 400 feet away); Jonathan Coggswell Farley / Montgomery's First Election (about 400 feet away); Montgomery Advertiser (Alabama Power Company) (about 400 feet away); History of the Alabama State Bar (about 400 feet away); The Dowe Houses (about 500 feet away); The Alabama Appellate Courts (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.

Regarding Naval Heroes of the War of 1812. The spelling of Thomas Macdonough

View of marker on Dexter Avenue. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 12, 2016

3. View of marker on Dexter Avenue.

McDonough Street, then Lawrence Street and in the far background Perry Street can be seen down Dexter Avenue.

on the marker is correct. The street name has been changed to the more 'familiar' spelling of McDonough.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the War of 1812. Article mentions all six Naval heroes listed on this marker. (Submitted on November 12, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

The view east on Dexter Avenue. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 12, 2016

4. The view east on Dexter Avenue.

Hull Street, then Decatur Street, and far in the background, Bainbridge Street can be seen. Marker is on near corner.

Naval Heroes of the War of 1812 image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

5. Naval Heroes of the War of 1812

Portraits of (left to right) Macdonough, Hull and Lawrence.

Public Domain

6. Naval Heroes of the War of 1812

Portraits (left to right) of Perry, Decatur and Bainbridge.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,328 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 12, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.