The monument is taller than the Statue of Liberty by approximately 47 feet.
The column is a Doric pillar, the only one of its kind in the world that serves as a peace memorial.
The floor of the monument is made of Milford pink granite, which is naturally heat-resistant.
The bronze urn at the top of the column serves as a symbol of the war ending.
The site was designated a National Monument in 1936.
The memorial is one of the few places in the U.S. where British and American soldiers are interred together in the same tomb.
The construction of the monument took place between 1912 and 1915 to mark the centennial of the battle.
The memorial sits on an isthmus that is less than a mile wide, separating the harbor from the lake.
Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial commemorates the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. The centerpiece is a 352-foot-tall Doric column constructed of pink granite, making it one of the tallest monuments in the United States. It stands on South Bass Island in Lake Erie, only five miles from the longest undefended border in the world between the U.S. and Canada. The memorial honors Oliver Hazard Perry’s naval victory and the subsequent lasting peace between Great Britain, Canada, and the United States. Beneath the monument lie the remains of three American officers and three British officers, symbolizing the reconciliation of the former adversaries. The site functions as a unit of the National Park System and offers an observation deck accessible by elevator. Visitors can view the distant Canadian shoreline from the top of the column on clear days.
From the park lawn looking upward to capture the full scale of the column against the sky.
Check the weather before heading to the island, as high winds often force the closure of the elevator to the observation deck.
Bring binoculars to see the Canadian islands visible across the lake from the observation deck.
Pack a light jacket for the observation deck, as it can be significantly cooler and windier at the top of the column.
Do not attempt to walk to the monument from the ferry without adequate hydration if visiting during the humid summer months.
Operates seasonally; the monument typically opens in late spring and closes in late autumn, and is closed during the winter months.
Maintain a respectful tone inside the memorial rotunda where fallen soldiers are interred.
