Fort Huntington Park

Historical Significance

Fort Huntington Park is a small urban green space located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The park sits at the intersection of West 3rd Street and Lakeside Avenue, near the Cuyahoga County Courthouse. It was established to commemorate Fort Huntington, a military installation that played a role in the War of 1812, though the actual fort was located about 500 feet northwest of the current park site.

Monuments and Memorials

The park features several monuments and statues honoring various historical figures and events. A prominent statue of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812, stands in the park. Additionally, there is a cannon on display that was captured from a British ship during that battle.

Other notable elements include a statue of Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens, who lived in Cleveland, and a memorial dedicated to Cleveland police officers who have died in the line of duty. The park also contains a statue of John T. Corrigan, a former Cuyahoga County prosecutor and state senator.

Park Development

Originally dedicated in 1937, the park underwent a significant redesign in the late 1970s. This renovation aimed to diversify the park's historical focus by including more recent Cleveland notables alongside the War of 1812 memorials.

Visitor Experience

Fort Huntington Park serves as a quiet space for reflection and historical education in the heart of Cleveland's busy downtown area. Its location near government buildings and its collection of monuments make it a unique blend of urban green space and open-air museum.