There's A Battle Of Lake Erie Connection Hiding In Cleveland's Fort Huntington Park
By Nikki Rhoades|Published September 29, 2020
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Cleveland is full of surprises, from the unforgettable (and often despised) Free Stamp to the unique people that call this city home. One of the best surprises in Forest City is the abundance of greenery amidst the concrete streets and neon signs. This lushness makes the community feel down-to-earth compared to some big cities, and each individual city park has a story to tell. One of the most surprising is Fort Huntington Park in Cleveland. It’s a small little city block, but it’s full of statues and stories alike. If you’ve walked or driven by this park a million times, it’s about time we take a visit. Check it out:
Throughout Cleveland, there are surprising urban patches of greenery. Fort Huntington Park is one of those surprising finds.
At the intersection of West 3rd Street and West Lakeside Avenue is a petite park filled to the brim with art. As you can see, it was named in honor of a former Ohio governor.
The park is both a nod to an Ohio governor and to Fort Huntington (formerly located near the historic county courthouse downtown), the structure that kept locals safe during the War of 1812.
Some of the most impressive leaders of the time visited the fort. Captain Stanton Sholes, a hero of the Revolutionary War and officer of the 2nd US Regiment of Artillery, arrived at the fort under the orders of President James Madison. William Henry Harrison also visited the site, and a camp there was named in his honor.
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Admiral Oliver Hazard Perry also stopped at the fort before heading into the unforgettable Battle of Lake Erie.
In September of 1813, the Royal Navy faced Perry and his men. This marked the first time in history that an entire Royal Navy squadron surrendered. Oliver Hazard Perry fought several battles, but this one earned him the reputation as the hero of Lake Erie.
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After the Battle of Lake Erie concluded, Admiral Perry headed back to Fort Huntington to celebrate the victory.
Eventually, a monument was erected in Perry's honor in Public Square. Over 100,000 attended its unveiling, but it was eventually removed to make room for the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. After being relocated several times, the historic statue from 1860 finally found its permanent home in Fort Huntington Park.
Pictured is the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial, a statue that honors local officers that have died in the line of duty. It was dedicated in 1993, and it transformed the atmosphere of the park.
Jesse Owens came to Cleveland as a young man, and this coveted local would go on to claim several Olympic Medals at the 1936 Games in Berlin as Adolf Hitler looked on distastefully. His win was a victory for Clevelanders and Americans alike. This iconic statue was added to the park in 1982.
...And even John T. Corrigan, whose story is the greatest tale you've never heard.
John T. Corrigan was a super cool guy, through and through. He served as the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor, but before that, he served in World War II and lost his right eye in the Battle of the Bulge. Seriously. After serving 35 years in office, Corrigan passed away in Cleveland in 2003. As one of six children, Corrigan was already used to hectic energy. Political opinions aside, this Cleveland character is worth researching.
Fort Huntington Park in Cleveland is a surprising local landmark, and it’s nothing short of a gem. Did you know that Oliver Hazard Perry celebrated his win at the Battle of Lake Erie in Cleveland? Did you know that his statue moved around so much? Sound off in the comments!
Love statues and the stories they tell? Visit The Sanctuary Museum, formerly the Museum of Divine Statues, over in Lakewood.
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