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Victory Memorial and the Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Sculpture

Located dramatically in the center hall of the Perry Memorial Visitor Center is a statue of of Oliver Perry created by Columbus born William Walcutt in 1860. The statue was shaped from Carrara Marble and is 9' tall not including the base.

Perry Memorial

The statue was first displayed in Cleveland's Public Square where it remained until 1929. It was then donated to Perrysburg, Ohio (just south of Toledo along the Maumee River) where it was placed in a small part at the center of town along the river.

In the 1990s, fearing further detrimental weathering of the marble statue, the original marble sculpture was moved to its present location on loan from Perrysburg. A replica of the original marble statue was created in bronze was put in its place in Perrysburg.

Perry Monument in Perrysburg

Perrysburg Statue with bronze duplicate installed

John Eisenmann's Design

There was a contest for the design of the Victory Monument and Cleveland Architect, John Eisenmann submitted his design. Although Eisenmann's design did not win, his suggested location for the monument on the isthmus of South Bass Island was chosen. John Eisenmann was perhaps better known for his other design: the Ohio State Flag.

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Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial

Located on a narrow strip of land on South Bass Island is the world famous 352' tall Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial. The Monument is among the tallest monuments in the United States and is also considered a Lake Erie Lighthouse, although it does not fit into a typical lighthouse classification, there is a flashing beacon on top and serves as a navigational aid.

The Memorial was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie, during the War of 1812, but in equal part it is symbolic of the long-lasting peace between Britain, Canada and the U.S. Situated 5 miles from the longest undefended border in the world. Monument Construction began in October 1912, opened to the public on June 13, 1915 and became a National Park Service Memorial in 1936. The name was changed in 1972 from the original Perry Victory Monument to the Perry Victory and International Peace Memorial to recognize the continuing peace between the United States and Canada. A Canadian flag flies next to the American flag at the memorial.

Urn

The column is topped by a huge bronze urn and an observation deck for visitors. The tower is one of the tallest in the world of its kind. An elevator takes visitors to the open-air, 360 degree observation platform, but visitors do have to climb a narrow stair to reach the elevator room.

Perry Memorial Observation Platform

In 2006, a 500 pound piece of granite from the top observation platform fell and punched a hole in the plaza floor 317' below. No one was injured, but it did close down the observation platform. This accident forced the closing of the observation platform and the plaza to visitors. Once the platform was repaired, it reopened, but the plaza is still closed. Plans are underway for a complete renovation of the almost 100 year old monument, set to begin in 2009 so it will be completed in time for the Bicentennial Celebration of the Battle of Lake Erie in 2013.

Perry Memorial

At the center of the base of the massive column is a domed room where 6 bodies are buried from the War of 1812— 3 are American and 3 British officers killed during the Battle of Lake Erie, on September 10, 1813. Their remains were originally located where the village of Put-in-Bay is now located, but were moved and re-interred in the crypt at Perry's Memorial on September 11, 1913. Today, there is a marker in Put-in-Bay honoring their original resting place.

Marker

Visitor Center

The Perry's Victory Visitor Center was opened in May of 2002. The visitor center has a small movie theatre, a large exhibit area, a gift shop and public restrooms.

Visitors can watch a free movie about the Battle of Lake Erie and the War of 1812.