During the War of 1812 Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry commanded the American fleet, consisting of the Lawrence, the Niagara and seven smaller vessels assembled on the British-controlled lake. On Sept. 10, 1813, he met and defeated the British fleet and forced Robert Heriott Barclay's flagship and five other vessels to surrender. Perry then sent his famous message to Gen. William Henry Harrison: “We have met the enemy and they are ours.” This victory made possible both the recapture of Detroit and Gen. Harrison's invasion of Canada.
The memorial is 352 feet high and 45 feet in diameter at its base. Built of pink granite from Milford, Mass., the memorial has an observation deck at 317 feet. The visitor center shows a movie and has exhibits about the Battle of Lake Erie and the building of the monument.
Allow 30 minutes minimum. Visitor center and memorial open daily 10-6, late May to mid-Sept.; daily 10-5, mid-Sept. to early Oct.; Fri.-Mon. 10-5, early Oct.-late Oct. Park rangers provide interpretive talks Mon.-Thurs. on the hour 11-5. Visitor center free. Memorial $10; free (ages 0-15 with adult). Phone (419) 285-2184.