Put-In-Bay, Ohio 43456
Perry’s Victory & International Peace MemorialAlso, see all the hotspots at:
Lake Erie Western Basin Important Bird Area
Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial was built to commemorate the United States’ naval triumph in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 and to celebrate long-lasting peace between Great Britain, Canada, and the United States. It is named after Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry, who led the American fleet to victory in the battle.
The 352-foot tall monument was constructed between 1912 and 1915 and was added to the national park system in 1936. It is the world’s tallest Doric-style column and is the third tallest U.S. memorial.
An open-air, 317-foot high observation platform provides panoramic views of the islands, Lake Erie, and the shores of Ohio, Michigan, and Ontario.
The 23.9-acre site is located at Bayview (OH-357) and Toledo avenues in Put-in-Bay and spans an isthmus of South Bass Island. A visitor center includes interpretive displays, a theater, and a bookstore. September 10, 2013, marked the bicentennial of the Battle of Lake Erie.
See all hotspots at South Bass Island
The 1,588-acre South Bass Island is only eclipsed by Kelleys Island in size among the Ohio Lake Erie islands. It receives the heaviest visitation of any island in the lake, Ohio, or otherwise, thanks to the popular Put-in-Bay community. The year-round residents only number about 130, but their ranks are swollen by thousands of visitors from April through October.
As with the nearby islands, birding can be fabulous on South Bass Island, especially during migration when the trees can be full of songbirds. Tourist traffic is also lighter in early to mid-May and September when migrant numbers and diversity peak. The island is too large to readily cover by foot, but golf carts can be rented, or autos can be brought over via ferry.
Restrooms at South Bass Island State Park and Perry’s Memorial.
Restrooms on site
Content from South Bass Island Official Website and Lake Erie Public Access Guide