Tag Archives: War of 1812

Endless Views of Lake Erie from Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial

Having lived in Ohio most of my life, I was surprised I had never heard of the Lake Erie Islands when a friend asked me if I wanted to spend a long weekend exploring Put-in-Bay.  Curious to learn more about this popular Ohio vacation spot, I found that Put-in-Bay is a town on one of the thirty-three islands that make up the Erie Islands archipelago.  The three most visited in Ohio include Kelleys Island, South Bass and Middle Bass islands off the shore of Port Clinton.

The drive was nearly three hours from Dublin so we checked into the Sleep Inn on OH-53 to drop off our luggage and have lunch.  We found this great Mexican place next door and had a couple of drinks and tacos at Casa Las Palmas.  Just over 10 minutes and we reached the parking lot to catch the ferry, courtesy of Miller’s Ferry, which dropped us off at the island.  We had the option to walk or wait for a  bus to drive us into town, so we chose the bus for a $2 fee.

The bus dropped us off at the edge of town where we immediately recognized its charm as we found ourselves at the corner of Main Street and Langram Road.  Deciding to reach the pier, we made our way through the large tree-filled lawn.  To our right I noticed a large Doric column out of the corner of my eye which looked more like a Washington DC monument than an Ohio memorial.

We had some drinks at the Boardwalk and then wine at Put-in-Bay Winery overlooking the lake taking in the boats docked in the harbor.  It was the perfect day to slip into the nearby bars for a drink and bar hop the afternoon away.

A long sidewalk arrives at the base of the tower which connects downtown Put-in-Bay to East Point.  We arrived at entrance within minutes from the pier and paid the $10 entrance fee.  With sunny skies and miles of visibility, I was looking forward to reaching the top.

We boarded the elevator to reach the platform with 360 degrees of breathtaking views.  Sailboats and speedboats dotted the crescent shaped harbor.

A closer look at the peninsula that rounds out the moon-shaped edge of the island, shows beautiful homes with gorgeous views of Lake Erie’s clear water.

The monument was named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry who fought against the British in the Battle of Lake Erie.  With his famous motto, “Don’t Give Up the Ship”, Perry took control of Lake Erie, which helped win the War of 1812.

A map of the site where the war took place has been engraved in steel on the observation deck.  Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial was first built in 1915 to represent the long-lasting peace between the United States, Canada and Britain.  Standing 352 feet above Lake Erie, it is the tallest Doric column in the world.

The copper rotunda at the top of the tower is decorative and stylish.  In memory of those who fought in the battle, the names of Perry and the six soldiers who lost their lives are commemorated on its walls.  The bodies of the six have been buried under its rotunda.

Standing 47 feet higher than the Statue of Liberty, Perry’s Memorial is the only international peace memorial in the US National Park System and ranks high on my list of things to do in Put-in-Bay.

Have you visited Put-in-Bay, one of Ohio’s Lake Erie vacation spots?  What were some of the activities that are on the top of your list?  I would love to hear about your experience if  you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Monument
93 Delaware Avenue
Put-in-Bay, Ohio  43456
Telephone:  419 285 2184

Where to Stay:

Sleep Inn, Port Clinton
947 OH-53 N
Port Clinton, OH  43452
Telephone:  419 732 7707

Where to Eat:

Casa Las Palmas
4000 E Harbor Light Landing Drive
Port Clinton, OH  43452
Telephone:  419 734 6593

What to Read:

  • Put-In-Bay books by Robert Adamov

Photo Guide for Put-in-Bay:

  • Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, Put-in-Bay
  • Front entrance gate at Cedar Point
  • Glacial Grooves, Kelleys Island
  • Inside Crystal Cave, Put-in-Bay
  • Sunset from West Bay, Kelleys Island
  • Lake Erie Love signs, Nickel Plate Beach, Huron and Waterworks Park, Port Clinton
  • “Greetings From” murals, Port Clinton and Vermillion

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The Garst Museum and Greenville’s Early Beginnings

As I entered the Garst Museum, it was eerily quiet as I passed through the threshold of a beautifully restored campus house.  A table stood in the entryway with several flyers and maps to assist me with touring the galleries.  To the left I began my exploration of Greenville’s history titled “Crossroads of Destiny” and found several materials pertaining to this venue.

Starting with the Paleo period are remains of prehistoric animals that once roamed this area of Darke County.  On display are several bones and teeth of a Mastodon and Wooly Mastodon which were hunted by the Paleo Indians between 6,000 and 13,000 BC.

In addition to the animal finds are arrowheads dating back to the Paleo and Archaic Periods.  Used for hunting and spearing fish, the Indians gradually improved their weapons and tools to include chisels and axes.

By the early 1600s, the English made their way to the New World and settled along the East Coast.  In hopes of more opportunities, they began to move west, encroaching on Indian Territory.    Fighting broke out between the Indians and the European Americans which eventually led to the 1795 Treaty of Green Ville.  The “treaty of peace” included a cease fire between the Indians and Americans, provided compensation to the Indians in exchange for land that included two-thirds of southeast Ohio.

Additional treaties were signed and eventually the Indians were forced to settle in the West.  At this point, Tecumseh, a Shawnee Indian from modern-day Columbus, Ohio was determined to fight against the loss of their land by the Americans, but his efforts failed.  Eventually, Tecumseh joined the new Americans and fought in the War of 1812, where he died in October of 1813.   The story of his life is depicted in an outdoor drama titled, “Tecumseh” which is performed during the summer months in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Growing up about an hour east of Greenville, I was familiar with the historic figures from the area such as Blue Jacket and Simon Kenton.  Blue Jacket was a Shawnee War Chief who fought against American settlers who were in pursuit of the Indian’s land.  He was defeated in 1794 during the Battle of Fallen Timbers which resulted in his signing the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, ceding to the settlers.  Each year, the city of Xenia hosts performances of the outdoor drama ,”Blue Jacket” in a gorgeous, scenic amphitheater in remembrance of this local celebrity.

Simon Kenton was also a key figure as a frontiersman who was a friend of Daniel Boone. Kenton also fought alongside George Rogers Clark during the Revolution.  Kenton was kidnapped by the Shawnee Indians on several occasions.  Impressing the Shawnee by his ability to escape, he was eventually adopted by the Shawnee as they lived harmoniously in what is known today as Champaign County.  He is buried in Urbana.

Today, Greenville is known for its farming of corn and soybean.  Visitors can take a step back in time to visit Bear’s Mill, a working gristmill that sells freshly ground flour in their gift shop.    Greenville’s Main Street is a great way to spend the afternoon with a visit to the Anna Bier Gallery displaying the artwork of local artists.  My favorite stop is the KitchenAid experience to browse the latest KitchenAid mixers and gadgets for sale.  In addition, the store houses a museum that shows the evolution of the KitchenAid mixer since 1941.   The Merchant House is a highly recommended stop for lunch or dinner or venture to nearby Versailles for a local winery experience and its charming downtown.

From its humble beginnings to its modern day advancement in kitchen appliances, Greenville is an incredible historic stop and one of America’s greatest examples of Main Street, America.

Have you visited Greenville?  What activities and restaurants did you decide to visit?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my lovely afternoon in Greenville and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Garst Museum
205 North Broadway
Greenville, OH  45331
Telephone: 937 548 5250

  • Admission: $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, $9 for youth, $9 for Darke County Genealogy Society Members, Free for children aged 5 and below and for DCHS Members
  • Hours:  Tuesday – Saturday from 10AM to 4PM & Sunday from 1PM to 4PM, Closed Mondays, Major Holidays and the Month of January
  • Amenities:  Historical exhibits, educational exhibits, research center, historic figures, museum store and special events
  • Tips: Allow yourself plenty of time to visit each of the exhibits and wear comfortable shoes.

Where to Stay: 

The Inn at Versailles
21 West Main Street
Versailles, OH  45380
Telephone:  937 526 3020

Where to Eat: 

The Merchant House
406 South Broadway
Greenville, OH  45331
Telephone:  937 459 4405

Pig candy and the Monte Cristo sandwich….absolutely amazing!

Where to Drink: 

Kennedy Vineyard
3911 State Route 722
New Madison, OH  45346
Telephone:  937 273 8381

What to Read:

  • Annie Oakley, by Charles J. Shields
  • Annie Oakley:  A Captivating Guide to an American Sharpshooter Who Later Became a Wild West Folk Hero, by Captivating History
  • Life and Legacy of Annie Oakley, by Glenda Riley

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • step back into timw
  • historical destination with over 300,000 artifacts on display over 35,000 square feet of exhibit space within six building wings
  • Major Exhibit Venues include:
    • Crossroads of Destiny:  The story of General Anthony Wayne, Little Turtle
    • Lowell Thomas – pioneer broadcaster
    • Military History – 1812 to War in Iran
    • Commander Zachary Landsdowne – Captain of the Navy Airship USS Shenandoah and early advocate of military air power
    • Early Pioneers & Period American Furnishings
    • Early Village Settlement Shops
    • Currier & Ives Collection
    • Darke County Research Center