Millcreek Township near Erie in Erie County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Climate For War
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2013
1. A Climate For War Marker
What was the War of 1812?
America declared war against Great Britain on June 18, 1812. The conflict lasted for over two years. Many historians believe that the war was the inevitable outcome of Britain's continued interference in U.S. affairs, including the abduction of American sailors on the high seas and territorial disputes on the western frontier and Canada.
Did you know?
The White House was burned down during the War of 1812.
The Significance of Presque Isle
Consider the role that Presque Isle played in securing a victory for the U.S. at the Battle of Lake Erie. The Presque Isle peninsula created a sheltered bay only accessible by navigating a narrow channel from Lake Erie and crossing a shallow sandbar. Erie resident Daniel Dobbins convinced President James Madison and the cabinet of the need for warships on Lake Erie and of the ideal conditions at Presque Isle Bay to build those ships. Shipbuilding began in Erie in September 1812.
Erected by Presque Isle Partnership, Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and Erie Community Foundation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War of 1812
this page online
Location. 42° 9.281′ N, 80° 5.449′ W. Marker is near Erie, Pennsylvania, in Erie County. It is in Millcreek Township. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Fisher Drive and Thompson Drive, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located along the walking path to the Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument at 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. Preparing For Battle (here, next to this marker); The Perry Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Tribute to a Hero (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fishing on the Sweet Sea (about 300 feet away); Son of the Sea (about 300 feet away); Perry Monument: A Beacon of the Community (about 400 feet away); Erie's Industrial Explosion (about 400 feet away); And the Misery begins… (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Erie.
More about this marker. Marker is a large, rectangular, composite plaque, mounted horizontally on waist-high posts.
Related markers.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2013
2. A Climate For War Marker (wide view)
Also see . . .
1. Erie History Mystery: Who is Daniel Dobbins?. Dobbins first came to Erie in 1795 with a surveying party. Shortly after his arrival, he began working on a merchant ship that sailed on Lake Erie. A few years later, Dobbins became the captain of the merchant ship. Dobbins sailed his ship on Lake Erie and Lake Huron until it was captured by the British Navy in 1812. After escaping to Erie, Dobbins was told to report what he had seen to the authorities in Washington. While there, he was given the rank of sailing master and assigned the task of building a fleet in Erie, where Oliver Hazard Perry was one of the captains Dobbins built for. (Submitted on February 15, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. British troops set fire to the White House. On August 24, 1814, British troops enter Washington, D.C. and burn the White House in retaliation for the American attack on the city of York in Ontario, Canada, in June 1812. When the British arrived at the White House, they found that President James Madison and his first lady Dolley had already fled to safety in Maryland. Soldiers reportedly sat down to eat a meal made of leftover food from the White House scullery using White House dishes and
Colonel Charles H. Waterhouse, USMC (Internet Archive)
3. Repulse of the Highlanders, New Orleans 8 January 1815
from Marines In The Frigate Navy, 1985, by Charles H. Waterhouse.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 26, 2013
4. "Don't Give Up The Ship" flag (Crystal Point walking path; view looking west from marker)
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 229 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 15, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on February 16, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4. submitted on February 15, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
