Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial dominates the skyline view on South Bass Island near Put-in-Bay, Ohio.
The view from atop the tower is definitely a high point (no pun intended) of any visit to Ohio's Lake Erie Shores and Islands region. It's also a great place to better understand and visualize the historic Battle of Lake Erie and Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's great naval victory here in 1813 that helped Americans gain control over a major route through the region and further spur westward development and expansion of the United States throughout the next century.
The Perry Monument took shape during the early 1900s with the approaching centennial celebration of the pivotal victory and the lasting peace among the United States, Great Britain and Canada.
The monument's location is particularly appropriate as it sits just five miles from the longest undefended border in the world.
The National Park Service staged a special celebration in July that included fireworks, a patriotic concert and naturalization ceremony at the memorial, but there is still plenty of fun to celebrate the centennial of the monument's construction and Perry's great victory before the end of summer.
The NPS hosts a Historic Rum Tasting on September 4 when Parks Canada Historic Interpreter Robin Martin discusses the history of rum and the use of rum rations as payment during the War of 1812 complete with rum samples and a menu of period appetizers.
The NPS also hosts the traditional Perry's Victory Heritage Celebration during Memorial Weekend September 11-13.
The festival celebrates the 202nd Anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie, as well as the area's history, art and music. The weekend's events include the laying of a wreath near the historic battle site, a symphony concert and the illumination of the harbor with the Lights of Peace. A military encampment that includes Scout troops, military veterans and re-enactors will make its home near the Monument the entire weekend, and a Grand Parade on Saturday, September 12 makes its way through downtown Put-in-Bay and will include over 100 antique vehicles.
Want to learn more? Put-in-Bay photographer G. Otto Herbster took many images of the monument's construction, which you can check out in Put-In-Bay: The Construction of Perry's Monument by Jeff Kissell.
You can also check out my story Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial: Bird's-eye battle view or Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial Facebook page to learn more about the Monument and its history.
© Dominique King 2015 All rights reserved
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