Presque Isle State Park

Presque Isle State Park is a 3,200 acre sandy peninsula that arches into Lake Erie.  As Pennsylvania's only "seashore", Presque Isle offers its visitors a beautiful coastline and many recreational activities including swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, bicycling and jogging.

The neck of the peninsula is attached to the mainland four miles west of downtown Erie.  The park creates Presque Isle Bay which is a wide and deep harbor for the City of Erie.  The bay attracts many pleasure boats and worldwide freighters making Erie an important Great Lakes shipping port. 

Presque Isle is a favorite spot for migrating birds.  Because of the many unique habitats, Presque Isle contains a greater number of the State's endangered, threatened and rare species than any other area of comparible size in Pennsylvania.

Whether you come to enjoy the sandy beaches, study ecological diversity or learn about the historical significance of the peninsula there is something for everyone at Presque Isle State Park.

The Presque Isle Lighthouse historically nicknamed the "Flash Light".  The height is 68' and it was opened in 1872.  It became automated in 1962.  The lighthouse was added to the National Registry of Historic Places on August 4, 1983.  Visitors, for a nominal fee, may climb the 130 steps to the top of the tower for a breathtaking view.

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument

Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 and to celebrate the long-lasting peace among Great Britain, Canada and the United States.  The Memorial, a Doric column rising 352 feet over Lake Erie is situated 5 miles from the longest undefended border in the world. 

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry (August 23, 1785-August 23, 1819) was an American naval commander born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island.  A prominent member of the Perry family naval dynasty he was the son of Sarah Wallace Alexander and United States Navy Captain, Christopher Raymond Perry and older brother of Commodore Matthew C. Perry.

During the war against Britain, Perry supervised the building of a fleet at Erie, Pennsylvania.  He earned the title "Hero of Lake Erie" for leading American forces in a decisive naval victory at the Battle of Lake Erie receiving a Congressional Gold Medal.  He is remembered for the words on his battle flag, "Don't Give Up the Ship" which was a tribute to the dying command of his colleague Captain James Lawrence of the USS Chesapeake.  He is also know for his message to Major General William Henry Harrison written in a letter which read in part, "We have met the enemy and they are ours."

The entire message read as follows:  Dear General,  We have met the enemy and they are ours, two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop.  Yours with great respect and esteem.

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry

If you haven't experienced Presque Isle State Park and all that it has to offer, treat yourself to a day at the beach or simply take the scenic drive to the end of the peninsula as I did on my recent birthday.