FORT HUNTINGTON

Built at the direction of Pres. Jas. Madison to protect the settlement, was this fortress and supply depot of the Army of the Northwest during the War of 1812, ...
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Built at the direction of Pres. Jas. Madison to protect the settlement, was this fortress and supply depot of the Army of the Northwest during the War of 1812, located on a site west of the county courthouse at Ontario and Lakeside. The fort was named after Samuel Huntington, governor of Ohio 1808-10. A camp was established at the site in 1812 by local militia under the command of Gen. Simon Perkins. It was called Camp Harrison, in honor of Wm. Henry Harrison, commander of the Army of the Northwest. In early spring 1813, a Maj. Jessup, Regular Army, took charge of the troops. Under his command, Capt. Stanton Sholes, a hero of the Revolutionary War, commissioned by Pres. Madison to the 2d Div. of the U.S. Artillery, arrived in Cleveland. It was under his command that the fort, stockade, and hospital were built. The fort was involved with the Battle of Lake Erie, one of the maintenance men said, the cannon was still pointed out to sea where the first British Ship was seen as a reminder. My Uncle back in 1952 found an old bayonet buried in the sand just off the same site. He had it dated from a friend working at the natural History museum. It dated to 1812. I was passed down that same bayonet. It is worn but in very good condition considering its age. In 1982 a sculpture executed by WM. MCVey was added to the park to commemorate the 1936 victory of Clevelander Jesse Owens in the Olympics. This Site was also, rededicated in 1977.
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