National Park Service

Department of the Interior

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial,

The 1993 Park-wide Archeological Survey of

South Bass Island, Ottawa County, Ohio

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Midwest Archeological Center 

Lincoln, Nebraska

By

Rose E. Pennington

2015

Archeological Report 8 

PERRY’S VICTORY AND INTERNATIONAL PEACE MEMORIAL,

THE 1993 PARK-WIDE ARCHEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF

SOUTH BASS ISLAND, OTTAWA COUNTY, OHIO

By 

Rose E. Pennington

Archeological Report 8 

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Midwest Archeological Center

United States Department of the Interior

National Park Service

Midwest Archeological Center

Lincoln, Nebraska

2015
This report has been reviewed against the criteria contained in 43CFR Part 7, Subpart 

A, Section 7.18 (a) (1) and, upon recommendation of the Midwest Regional Office

and the Midwest Archeological Center, has been classified as

AVAILABLE 

Making the report available meets the criteria of 43CFR Part 7, Subpart A, Section 7.18 

(a) (1).
i

ABSTRACT

During early May, 1993, personnel from the Midwest Archeological Center 

conducted a park-wide archeological survey of Perry’s Victory and International Peace 

Memorial (PEVI) on South Bass Island, Ottawa County, Ohio. Much of PEVI’s 10.15 

hectares (25.38 acres) rest on a heavily filled and graded tombolo, and a small portion 

of the park had been surveyed previously. For this reason, the 1993 investigations 

surveyed only a total of 5.6 hectares (14 acres). The artifact yield was low and much of 

the project area was found to have been previously disturbed by grading. However, 

one historic site was discovered. A small test trench was excavated in order to explore a 

structural foundation uncovered to the northeast of the memorial column. Apparently 

this foundation was associated with the late-nineteenth-century Mary Lockwood 

estate, a substantial house and vineyard depicted in extant photographs dating to the 

construction of the memorial column in 1912-1913. This foundation was recorded as site 

33OT244 in the Ohio Archaeological Inventory (OAI). 

Additionally, this report includes a brief discussion of an unmonitored backhoe 

trench that was excavated for the purpose of installing a new sewer line segment in the 

west end of the park. This survey noted evidence for the presence of an historic midden 

near the north seawall. The circa 1890s-1920s artifacts recovered from the backhoe 

trench suggest that a redeposited portion of the Put-in-Bay town dump may have been 

used as fill over the tombolo in this area.
ii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

As is generally the case in archeological proceedings, the following report results 

not from the effort of one individual, but rather from the efforts of several individuals 

working together. Superintendent Richard Lusardi and his staff were instrumental in 

facilitating our research efforts. I would particularly like to thank Gerry Altoff, Chief 

of Interpretation, and Martin O’Toole, Lead Park Ranger, for their assistance in our 

investigations. Gratitude is also extended to Jeanne Burgess, Secretary, and Vivian Ladd, 

Administrative Technician, for their efforts on behalf of the crew. 

I am grateful to my field crew, Supervisory Archeologist Jeff Richner, and 

Archeological Technician Todd Ahlman, for their dedication and good humor in 

slogging through a wet Ohio spring. Thanks are also owed to the clerical support base 

in Lincoln, including Liz Glocker, Joyce Hawthorne, Theora McVay, and Linda Zumpfe. 

Preliminary processing of artifacts was performed by a laboratory crew under the 

direction of Forrest Frost. Special thanks to Karen Archey for her assistance in 

generating the tables for this report, and to Tim Meade for processing the sewer 

line artifacts.
iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract.........................................................................................................................................i

Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................... ii

List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. v

Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1

Historical Background ...................................................................................................... 1

Establishment of the Memorial ....................................................................................... 3

1993 Archeological Investigations ................................................................................... 5

Environmental Setting ............................................................................................................... 5

Glacial Geology, Topography, and Soils .......................................................................... 5

Flora and Fauna ................................................................................................................. 6

Land Use History and Setting .......................................................................................... 7

Historic Land Use ..................................................................................................... 7

Current Setting: Structures and Buildings ............................................................. 8

Previous Archeological Investigation ....................................................................................... 8

1992 Project Area ............................................................................................................... 8

Methods .............................................................................................................................. 8

Results ................................................................................................................................. 9

Interpretation ..................................................................................................................... 9

The 1993 Archeological Investigation .................................................................................... 10

1993 Project Area .............................................................................................................. 10

Methods ............................................................................................................................. 10

Area 1 ......................................................................................................................... 10
iv

Area 2 ......................................................................................................................... 11

Area 3 ......................................................................................................................... 12

Results ................................................................................................................................ 13

Area 1 ......................................................................................................................... 13

House Depression at Site 1 (33OT244) ........................................................ 13

Area 2 ......................................................................................................................... 14

Area 3 ......................................................................................................................... 15

Interpretation .................................................................................................................... 15

The 1993 Sewer Line Trench ................................................................................................... 16

Summary and Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 17

Park-wide Survey .............................................................................................................. 17

Site 1 (33OT244) ...................................................................................................... 17

Sewer Line Trench ............................................................................................................ 18

References Cited ........................................................................................................................ 19

Appendix A ................................................................................................................................ 35

Appendix B ................................................................................................................................. 37
v

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Project Area in Northern Ohio................................................................................ 21

Figure 2. South Bass Island and Perry’s Victory and International 

Peace Memorial......................................................................................................................... 22

Figure 3. The 1992 Survey Zone in the Housing and Maintenance 

Development Area .................................................................................................................... 23

Figure 4. The 1993 Survey Zone Showing Extant and Former Structures; 

Areas 1, 2, and 3; and the Shovel Test Grids........................................................................... 25

Figure 5. The locations of all structures, standing and removed......................................... 27

Figure 6. Plan and Profile Views of Feature 1 in Test Unit 1 at Site 1 (33OT244) ............. 29

Figure 7. June 1912 Photograph of Rail Dock Showing Site 1 (33OT244)........................ 31

Figure 8. Undated Photograph of Plaza Steps Showing Site 1 (33OT244), 

from the 1912-1915 Construction of the Monument........................................................... 31

Figure 9. Site 1 (33OT244) Shown in 1938 Map. (Source: United States 

Department of the Interior.).................................................................................................... 32

Figure 10. Site 1 (33OT244) Shown in 1947 Map. (Unknown source).............................. 33

Figure 11. Extent of Redeposited Historic Midden in Sewer Line Trench ....................... 34
vi
1

INTRODUCTION

The Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial (PEVI), built between 

1912 and 1915, was established as a national monument on June 2, 1936, acquired by 

the National Park Service (NPS) on September 11, 1938, and designated as a national 

memorial on October 26, 1972. PEVI’s mission is to commemorate Commodore Oliver 

Hazard Perry’s victory in the Battle of Lake Erie, the greatest naval engagement of the 

War of 1812. The memorial further commemorates the lasting peace since that war 

between Great Britain, Canada, and the United States, secured by the signing of the 1814 

Treaty of Ghent. 

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial is located on South Bass 

Island in Lake Erie, approximately 4.8 km (3 mi) north of the Ohio shoreline. PEVI’s 

10.15 hectares (25.38 acres) lie within the village of Put-in-Bay, Township of Put-in-Bay, 

Ottawa County, Ohio. Located in the western Basin of Lake Erie, South Bass Island is 

the third largest of nine small islands that belong to Ohio. Other islands in this group 

include Middle Bass, North Bass, Gibraltar, Rattlesnake, Sugar, Ballast, Greene, and 

Kelleys Island. The American-Canadian border bisects Lake Erie approximately 6.4 km 

(4 mi) north of South Bass Island. Pelee Island, Ontario, lies approximately 12 km (7.5 

mi) northeast of South Bass Island (Figure 1). 

South Bass Island is approximately 4.8 km (3 mi) long and 1.6 km (1 mi) wide. The 

memorial stands on a tombolo, or sand and gravel bar, positioned between two higherelevated parts of the island. The tombolo at PEVI is approximately 227.5m (250 yards) 

wide, which connects the western two-thirds of South Bass Island to the eastern third of 

the island known locally as East Point (Figure 2). 

Historical Background

The following background material is largely derived from the NPS-issued PEVI 

park brochure (see also Dodge 1975). The Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813, 

was the most decisive naval battle of the War of 1812—a conflict largely focused on 

merchant marine and navy issues. British attacks on neutral American shipping and the 

impressment of American sailors during the Napoleonic wars in Europe inspired the 

slogan “Free Trade and Sailors’ Rights,” which rallied public support for a war against 

Great Britain. Less publicized, but of greater importance, was a struggle for control of 

the Old Northwest Territory that centered upon the Great Lakes. 

Settlement of the Northwest Territory occurred in a rapid and haphazard 

manner, with Ohio becoming a state in 1803. Adding to the confusion, settlers met with 

fierce resistance from Indians led by the Shawnee chief Tecumseh. Congress accused 

British forces in Canada of instigating the Indian attacks against American settlers in 

order to preserve British hegemony in the region’s fur trade. Seizing the opportunity 

to rid the continent of the British, an expansionist-minded Congress rallied further 

national support for a war that was declared on June 18, 1812. 
2

PEVI

It was clear from the onset of the war that control of Lake Erie was vital to holding 

the Northwest Territory. Free passage on Lake Erie was required to secure the lines of 

supply and communication necessary for either army to advance into enemy territory. 

By mid-August of 1813, American forces under the command of General William Henry 

Harrison in Ohio were preparing for a move into Canada. However, as the British 

held the advantage on Lake Erie, Harrison’s army could not advance without strong 

naval support.

On September 4, 1812, President James Madison commissioned Daniel 

Dobbins, a veteran lake captain, to build a fleet for the express purpose of wresting 

control of Lake Erie from the British. A fleet of two brigs and four schooners was built 

at Erie, Pennsylvania. Work on the fleet progressed slowly until the arrival of Master 

Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry in January 1813, after which the work proceeded 

rapidly. The Erie fleet was supplemented by five converted merchant ships from Black 

Rock, New York. 

Overseeing the completion of the fleet was only the first of Perry’s problems. 

A shortage of experienced seamen forced Perry to recruit soldiers to fill his crews. 

Additionally, a British blockade prevented Perry from sailing out of Erie’s Presque Isle 

Bay. However, on August 1, 1813, the British fleet inexplicably abandoned Erie. Perry 

immediately began maneuvering his fleet over a sand bar that had prevented the British 

from entering the harbor. The heaviest ships, the brigs Lawrence and Niagara, were 

stripped and buoyed by lashing airtight barges to their hulls. After several attempts, the 

last of the ships, the Lawrence, cleared the bar and the fleet was on the lake by August 

4. After some reconnaissance around the lake, Perry set anchor in the harbor at Put-inBay, South Bass Island, on August 25. 

One of the Black Rock schooners, the Amelia, had been left behind in Erie, either 

as back-up or because it was not sufficiently seaworthy. Additionally, the Black Rock 

schooner Ohio was sent back for supplies. Thus it was that Perry had nine ships (the Erie 

fleet and three of the Black Rock fleet) in the harbor at Put-in-Bay on the day of the 

battle. At daybreak, September 10, Perry’s lookout sighted six British ships northwest of 

Put-in-Bay. This was the fleet under command of Captain Robert H. Barclay, which had 

been defending Fort Malden, near present day Windsor, Ontario. 

The British flagship Detroit fired the first volley of the battle at 11:45 a.m. Despite 

the advantage of having the wind at his back, it took Perry half an hour to maneuver his 

two brigs, the Lawrence and the Niagara, into firing range. In the process, the Lawrence

sustained severe damage. Perry’s plan was to have the Lawrence engage the Detroit

and the Niagara to engage the other large British ship, the Queen Charlotte. Thinking 

he held the advantage, Perry returned fire at 12:15 p.m. However, the Niagara, under 

the command of Master Commandant Jesse D. Elliot, failed to engage in close action. 

The unchallenged Queen Charlotte joined the Detroit in battering the already crippled 

Lawrence. By 2:30, nearly eighty percent of the crewmen on the Lawrence were dead or 

wounded, and all of her guns disabled. 

With the Lawrence out of commission, Perry, accompanied by four crewmen, 

rowed a miraculously undamaged small boat through the raging battle to the Niagara. 
3

Master Commandant Elliot readily relinquished command of his ship to Perry. Perry 

then sent Elliot in the small boat to bring up the four schooners which had been trailing 

behind due to the lightness of the wind. Three other American ships, the Scorpion, Ariel, 

and Caledonia were already engaged in the conflict. Once in command of the Niagara, 

Perry immediately brought the ship about to starboard and sailed toward the British 

line. Within fifteen minutes the Niagara was engaged in close action with the Detroit, 

the Queen Charlotte, and three other British ships. By this time, the American schooners 

had sailed within firing range. 

Observing the American movements, Captain Barclay attempted to put up a 

defense. By this point, the Detroit and the Queen Charlotte were badly damaged on all 

but their starboard sides. Barclay attempted to maneuver the two ships so that their 

starboard sides were facing the American offensive. In the course of this action, in the 

smoke and confusion of battle, the two ships collided and locked together. Perry seized 

the advantage and won the engagement within fifteen minutes. Lake Erie was thus in 

American hands. 

After the naval battle, the British Army abandoned the Detroit frontier and 

Amherstburg, Ontario. With control of the lake, Perry’s fleet was able to ferry General 

Harrison’s army to the Canadian mainland. Harrison pursued the British up the Thames 

River, culminating in an American victory in the Battle of the Thames fought near 

Moravian Town at Fairfield, Ontario, on October 5, 1813. The Shawnee Indian leader 

Tecumseh perished in the battle, thus effectively ending Indian support of the British 

and Britain’s domination of the Northwest. 

The Battle of Lake Erie marked the first time an entire British naval fleet had been 

captured. It was one of the few American successes in a war that was far from popular or 

decisive. The victory helped convince Britain to end hostilities and enabled the United 

States to retain the Northwest Territory at the 1814 peace talks in Ghent. Ultimately, 

the Treaty of Ghent was signed not with bitterness, but with recognition of American 

sovereignty and a mutual respect between Great Britain and the United States. 

The 1814 Treaty of Ghent, closely followed by the 1817 Rush-Bagot Agreement 

that provided for the disarmament of the Great Lakes, paved the way for the strong 

alliance between the United States and Great Britain, which has lasted for nearly two 

centuries. Moreover, these two landmark agreements helped to establish the close 

bond between Americans and Canadians, which has resulted in an undefended border 

approximately 4,000 miles in length. 

Establishment of the Memorial

Various attempts to commemorate Perry’s victory were initiated throughout the 

nineteenth century, but these efforts were uncoordinated and resulted in plaques and 

statues scattered around Lake Erie. In 1852, the first organized drive to commemorate 

the Battle of Lake Erie was launched. A monument was proposed for Gibraltar Island, 

where U.S. and British officers killed in the battle had been interred. Funds were raised 

and the cornerstone for a great monument was set in place, however progress was halted 

with the advent of the Civil War. After the war, the Perry Monumental Association was 
4

PEVI

formed and a hollow column was proposed for a site on South Bass Island. Once again, 

interest in the project waned. Over a span of forty years several more attempts were 

made to commemorate Perry and the battle; none reached fruition. 

With the centennial of the battle fast approaching, the Perry’s Victory Centennial 

Commission was established in 1908. The Ohio General Assembly appropriated 

$10,000 toward the building of a monument. Engineer and architect John Eisenmann 

was commissioned to produce a design for the monument. Eisenmann’s watercolor of 

his proposed design was used to solicit additional funds by subscription, with states 

other than Ohio being invited to subscribe. In addition to Ohio, a total of eight states—

Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Rhode Island, and 

Massachusetts—contributed funds. The federal government appropriated $250,000 for 

the project. Ultimately, these funds proved insufficient to support Eisenmann’s design. 

In 1911, the commission sponsored a design competition for the memorial. The 

competition netted fifty-four designs, including the original design by Eisenmann. On 

January 25, 1912, the design submitted by Joseph Henry Freedlander and Alexander 

Duncan Seymour, Jr. of New York City was selected as the winner. Eisenmann received a 

consolation award of $1,500 to compensate for the time and energy he had devoted to the 

project. One element carried over from Eisenmann’s design was the proposed location 

of the monument—the tombolo connecting the two large sections of South Bass Island. 

The land was purchased from its owners and the title of the plot was ceded by the State 

of Ohio to the United States of America. 

At long last, on June 24, 1912, work began on the monument site. The site chosen 

was low, marshy, and wooded, and thus had to be cleared, drained, and filled before 

construction of the monument could begin. Work began on the monument in October 

of 1912. The Freedlander and Seymour design consisted of a long elevated plaza running 

northeast-southwest, with a hollow Doric column in the middle, and steps down to the 

shore of Put-in-Bay. At the southwest end of the plaza there was to have been a sculpture 

group and colonnade, and at the northwest end, a museum. These elements, however, 

were omitted from the memorial as constructed, and the plaza was downsized. The 

memorial was completed in 1915. 

The Doric column, the world’s tallest, rises 352 feet and is constructed of pink 

Milford granite. The column commands views of Lake Erie to the north and south and, 

from the observation deck near its top, the battle site ten miles to the northwest can be 

seen easily on clear days. The column is topped with an eleven-ton bronze urn. Interred 

beneath the base of the column are the bodies of three British and three American 

officers killed in the Battle of Lake Erie.1

 On September 11, 1913, in a somber and moving 

ceremony, the remains of the six officers were moved from their original tomb in De 

Rivera Park, just west of the Memorial. The reburial ceremony capped off the centennial 

commemoration, which had begun on September 10 with the arrival of the recently 

raised and reconstructed Niagara from Erie. 

1 A Canadian description for War of 1812 sites states the personnel were three American sailors and three British 

officers (Collins 1998).
5

1993 Archeological Investigations

From May 3 to May 6, 1993, a three-member crew from the Midwest 

Archeological Center (MWAC) conducted a park-wide archeological survey of PEVI. 

The survey was part of the initial planning stages for construction of a proposed 

approach mall and future visitor center. The survey was also necessary to document 

archeological resources within the park, as the only prior archeological investigation 

within PEVI had been limited to a shovel test survey of a small portion of the park. The 

extent of fill and disturbance across the park limited the 1993 survey to 5.6 hectares 

(14 acres) of PEVI’s 10.15 hectares (25.38 acres). In addition to the survey, one small test 

trench was excavated in order to investigate a house depression (33OT244), which was 

first observed in 1992. Subsequent to the 1993 survey, during unmonitored trenching 

for a waterline in the vicinity of the north seawall, a circa 1890s-1920s trash midden was 

uncovered. The contents of this trench are discussed briefly in this report. 

ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

Glacial Geology, Topography, and Soils

Ottawa County lies entirely within the glaciated portion of Ohio, and thus its 

soils are post-glacial in origin. Most of the county, including South Bass Island, lies 

in the lake plain of glacial Lake Maumee. The lake plain sediments of which the soils 

are formed are of variable thickness and are underlain by glacial till, which is further 

underlain by limestone. The dominant limestone outcrops occur primarily in the 

county’s western peninsula and in the islands (Musgrave and Derringer 1985:2). The 

surface relief of Ottawa County is nearly level to sloping, while the surface of South Bass 

Island is generally flat (one to six percent slope), though limestone outcrops and knolls 

are present.

The soils of South Bass Island are of the Castalia-Milton association. These soils 

are generally well-drained, moderately deep, and nearly level to gently sloping. Castalia 

soils formed in residuum from fractured limestone and in glacial drift in voids in the 

bedrock. Castalia soils are very stony, characterized by rapid permeability and low water 

capacity. Milton soils are characterized as loamy and clayey glacial till over limestone 

bedrock. Permeability is moderately slow and water capacity is low. Agriculturally, 

Castalia-Milton soils are best used for orchards, vineyards, and brush (Musgrave and 

Derringer 1985:5).

Soils present on the memorial are Udorthents, which appear as deep, nearly level, 

and gently sloping soils in cut and fill areas. Earthmoving and grading have mixed or 

obliterated the original topsoil and subsoil. The remaining soil is typical of the subsoil 

and substratum of adjacent soils, Milton silt loam and Castalia very stony, fine sandy 

loam. Typically, the upper 60 inches are firm and dense silty clay loam, clay, or silt loam. 

In fill areas, such as the memorial grounds, the soil characteristics are more variable. 

On the eastern end of the memorial, the topsoil is approximately 6 inches deep, with 18-

inch clayey subsoils. Runoff is medium to rapid and hard rains seal the surface in poorly 
6

PEVI

vegetated areas. A seasonally high water table occurs in depressed or bowl-shaped areas 

(NPS 1992:10). 

The tombolo, which comprises most of PEVI’s acreage, consisted of a swamp 

until 1911. Since its selection as the memorial site in 1911, this land has undergone an 

almost continuous process of leveling and filling. This has resulted in a fairly flat and 

uniform grade. The current grade across the center historic 5.7 hectare (14.25 acre) 

portion of the property ranges from 574 to 575 feet above mean sea level. The lowest 

elevation occurs in the lawn on the west side of the property, just northeast of the 

superintendent’s residence; the highest elevation occurs outside the historic boundary 

along the northeast NPS boundary (Williams and Boyle 1993:61). 

Most of the memorial lies within the 100- and 500-year floodplains, at 578 feet 

National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) and 579 feet NGVD, respectively. Only the 

easternmost portion of the memorial and a small corner at the southwest boundary are 

outside the 500 year floodplain (NPS 1992:11). 

The level of Lake Erie fluctuates generally between one and three feet during the 

year. When the lake rises to an elevation between 571 International Great Lakes Datum 

(IGLD) and 573 IGLD, flooding can result in varying degrees of damage to the memorial, 

grounds, and facilities. Storms are a particular problem, combining high lake levels with 

strong winds, thus driving large amounts of water onto the memorial grounds. Storm 

damage frequently results in the deposition of debris on the memorial grounds, as well 

as standing water within the memorial and other park structures. Occasional washouts 

occur at the southwest end of the seawall abutting the village beach (NPS 1992:11-12). 

Flora and Fauna

South Bass Island is part of the eastern temperate deciduous forest biome. The 

natural vegetation of the island has been extensively modified by human activity, with 

semi-natural areas confined to the western part of the island. Much of the island is in 

cultivated lawn grass and ornamental trees and shrubs. Approximately five percent of 

the island is in cultivation as vineyards. There are many small areas showing stages of 

old-field succession. The memorial is landscaped with well-maintained cultivated lawn 

grasses and ornamental shrubs and trees (NPS 1992:10). 

Mammals present on South Bass Island include raccoon, muskrat, mouse, eastern 

cottontail, eastern gray squirrel, black squirrel, and red fox. Birds observed nesting on 

the memorial grounds include robins, grackles, and song sparrows. Additionally, other 

species have been observed feeding on the memorial grounds, including killdeer, crow, 

downy woodpecker, red-eyed vireo, starling, red-winged blackbird, and yellow-shafted 

flicker. Incidental visitors to the memorial include migrating mallard and Canada geese 

(NPS 1992:10-11). Bald eagles have been observed on South Bass Island, and they may 

nest on Catawba Point on the mainland south of the island. 

Numerous species of amphibians and reptiles have been recorded on South Bass 

Island or in the adjacent waters. Several freshwater mussel species inhabit the waters 

around the memorial and ninety-five species of fish have been recorded for Ottawa 
7

County, including alewife, cisco, lake whitefish, darters, sunfish, and yellow perch (NPS 

1992:11). 

Land Use History and Setting

Historic Land Use

The Lake Erie Islands were known to prehistoric Native Americans, who 

used them as temporary camps on their journeys across the lake. The archeological 

investigations of these prehistoric occupations have centered on the nine mounds, two 

earthworks, sculptured rock petroglyphs, and habitation deposits on the nearby Kelleys 

Island that were initially mapped by U.S. Army Captain and frontier artist Seth Eastman 

in 1850 (Davis et al. 1976; McDermott 1961; Schoolcraft 1852, 1853; Whittlesey 1877). 

The Lake Erie Islands were first mapped by European explorers around 1670, though 

their existence was known to the French as early as the 1640s. France claimed the islands 

but relinquished its title to the British under the terms of the Treaty of Paris after the 

French and Indian War. The United States claimed a portion of the Lake Erie Islands in 

the second Treaty of Paris following the Revolutionary War. 

In 1792, eastern businessman Pierpont Edwards purchased several of the Lake 

Erie Islands, including South Bass. The first settler, Seth Doan, an agent of the Edwards 

family, came to South Bass Island in 1811 but was driven away by the British in 1812. 

The islands remained in the Edwards family until 1854 when they were sold to 

New York merchant Jose DeRivera St. Jurgo. DeRivera built a sawmill on South Bass 

Island and subdivided the island into plots to be purchased by settlers. By the early 1860s, 

there were approximately 500 permanent residents on the island. It was DeRivera who 

discovered that the island’s soil and climate were well suited to wine-grape production, 

thus founding the island’s first major industry. 

Wine production continued to be the major industry on South Bass Island 

throughout the nineteenth and well into the twentieth centuries. Much of the island 

was cultivated as vineyards. Gradually, however, the viniculture disappeared and 

was replaced with the burgeoning resort industry. Today the island largely serves as a 

summer resort community with only a small year-round population. Only one winery 

remains in operation on South Bass Island. 

As stated previously, the majority of the central, historic portion of the park rests 

on a tombolo which was swampy until the 1910s, and therefore was not in use prior to the 

construction of the monument. The western arm of the park (that portion of the park 

which lies to the west of Chapman Avenue) appears to have been a residential area since 

the mid-nineteenth century. Several late-nineteenth- to early-twentieth-century homes 

still stand in this area, one of which is currently in use as seasonal rangers’ quarters. The 

eastern arm of the park (that portion of the park which lies east of the monument, and 

which includes a portion of the island known as East Point) is known to have been under 

cultivation as vineyards into the twentieth century. This is apparent in early photographs 

of the area taken during monument construction. 
8

PEVI

Current Setting: Structures and Buildings

The central, historic portion of PEVI is dominated by the memorial and 

surrounding lawn. Structures directly associated with the memorial include the 

monument column, the upper and lower plazas, and the north and south seawalls. 

Buildings having an administrative function and located to the west of the memorial 

plaza include the visitor contact station, the superintendent’s residence, the park office, 

maintenance sheds, staff housing, and other miscellaneous buildings. On the east side of 

the park is the newly constructed maintenance and seasonal housing complex. 

PREVIOUS ARCHEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION

Previous systematic archeological investigation of PEVI has been confined to a 

single two-day pre-construction shovel test survey of the new housing and maintenance 

development area on the east end of the park. That survey was performed by MWAC 

Supervisory Archeologist Jeffrey J. Richner and Archeological Technician Timothy M. 

Meade on May 20 and 21, 1992. 

1992 Project Area

The 1992 survey was precipitated by the planned construction of new housing 

and maintenance facilities to replace the older, substandard facilities on the west end 

of the park. Additionally, utility connections were planned to tie the development into 

the city of Put-in-Bay’s utility lines. However, the utility line corridor was not surveyed 

by Richner at this time as it traversed a known fill zone (results of park trenching of 

the utility corridor will be discussed later in this report). The housing and maintenance 

complex includes four residences, a maintenance building, an access road, and small 

driveways and parking areas. Construction of the complex was still in progress at the 

time of the May 1993 park wide survey, but was completed later that year. The site of 

the new housing and maintenance facilities is located at the east end of the park and is 

bounded on the north by State Route 357, on the east by the NPS boundary, on the south 

and west by the limits of the 500-year floodplain which coincides with the 579-foot 

contour interval. The building site is on a gently sloping knoll which is well drained and 

is the only sizeable land within the park which was available for development and above 

the 100- and 500-year floodplains. 

Methods

For the purpose of his survey, Richner extended the potential impact zone to 

the 576-foot contour line in order to anticipate any additional disturbance associated 

with staging activities. He oriented his shovel test grid parallel with and about 6 m WSW 

from the east NPS boundary. Shovel Test Transect 1 paralleled the property line and 

also flanked a two-track dirt road which extended south from State Route 357 into 

the development area. Transect 1 extended directly through the access road prism, 

which essentially occupies the same position as the two-track road. The remaining test 

transects were placed in 10-m intervals WSW from and parallel to Transect 1. All of 

the transects were oriented parallel with the east boundary line and the two-track dirt 
9

road. Shovel tests were excavated in six transects ranging from 110 m to 230 m in length. 

A 10-m shovel test interval was maintained across the entire area (Richner 1992). The 

entire development area was shovel tested via this grid (Figure 3). 

Shovel tests were excavated to an average diameter of 35 cm until sterile subsoil 

clay or bedrock was encountered. The content of each test was sifted through onequarter-inch hardware mesh. All recovered cultural materials, with the exception 

of recent cultural debris such as plastic, were retained and marked according to 

provenience. The location of each shovel test was plotted on project drawings 

(Richner 1992). 

Results

One hundred six shovel tests were excavated in 10-m intervals within six 

transects. Cultural material was limited to single pieces of chert debitage in Transect 1, 

Shovel Test 5, and Transect 3, Shovel Test 8. No other materials were recovered across 

the project area. Additional shovel tests were excavated in the vicinity of the two positive 

shovel tests; four shovel tests were excavated in 5-m intervals around each of the positive 

tests. These additional tests were placed on the same grid as the 10 m interval tests. No 

additional cultural materials were recovered from these shovel tests. 

Within the project area, the deepest soil zone was recorded at the north edge of 

the development area, within the 583- to 585-foot contours. A slight ridge exists in this 

area. The soil in this portion of the survey zone is a rich brown loam to an average depth 

of 25 to 30 cm, but was shallower throughout the remainder of the survey zone. Typically, 

the brown loam contained moderate amounts of gravel and other larger rocks. The loam 

graded rather abruptly into a compact yellowish-brown clay containing numerous large 

rocks. Limestone bedrock was exposed at the surface in some tests (Richner 1992). 

Interpretation

The distinct division of the loam and underlying clay appears to result from 

previous cultivation of the project area. Indeed, Richner (1992) found evidence of 

considerable previous disturbance across the project area. Local residents recalled 

that the area was under cultivation as vineyards until the acquisition of this parcel of 

land by PEVI in the 1960s. Historic photographs of the area confirm this cultivation. 

This interpretation is also consistent with the soil profile exposed in all shovel tests. In 

addition, all of the area near Shovel Test Transect 1 was previously disturbed through a 

combination of the existing two-track dirt road and utility corridor. 

Intensive shovel testing of the maintenance and housing development area yielded 

two isolated pieces of prehistoric lithic debitage. The two pieces of debitage consist of 

a fragmentary flake and a tiny interior flake that may represent the byproduct of the 

final stage of manufacturing or sharpening a biface (Richner 1992). Both flakes were 

recovered from plow zone contexts. One was found in a context further disturbed by the 

presence of the dirt road. Richner concluded that these isolated finds were insufficient 

to qualify the survey area for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. 
10

PEVI

After consultation with the Ohio Historic Preservation Office, Richner (1992) further 

recommended that no further archeological investigation of these finds be undertaken. 

THE 1993 ARCHEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION

The 1993 archeological investigation of PEVI included a park-wide shovel-test 

survey and, based on information obtained during the survey, the excavation of one 

small test unit. The survey was prompted by discussion of a possible new visitor center/

approach mall development on the west end of the park (which, as of this writing, was 

still in the initial planning stages) and by the lack of a previous park-wide archeological 

survey of PEVI exists. The survey was conducted from May 3 to May 5, 1993 by MWAC 

Supervisory Archeologist Jeffrey J. Richner, Archeological Technician Todd Ahlman, 

and under the direction of Archeologist Rose E. Pennington. 

1993 Project Area

Due to the breadth of disturbance previously discussed, the survey zone 

encompassed just under 5.6 hectares (14 acres). The survey zone was divided into three 

distinct areas. Area 1 encompassed the eastern edge of the park and bordered the new 

housing/maintenance construction zone. Area 1 was bordered on the north by Bay View 

Avenue (State Route 357), on the east by the construction zone, and on the south and west 

by the slope of the 576 contour line, below which lies a fill zone placed at the time of the 

monument’s construction in the 1910s. Area 2 encompassed the portion of the park that 

lies directly to the west of the park headquarters. This is the proposed location for the 

new visitor center, though the exact location within this area has not been formalized. 

Area 2 is bordered on the north by Bay View Avenue, on the south by Delaware Avenue, 

on the west by Toledo Avenue, and on the east by Chapman Avenue. Area 3, the proposed 

location of the approach mall/bike path, encompassed the parcel of land to the west of 

Area 2. Area 3 is bordered by Bay View Avenue on the north, Hartford Avenue on the 

west, Toledo Avenue on the east, and private property on the south (Figure 4). 

Methods

The inventory survey methods were consistent for all three areas. Shovel tests 

were aligned along parallel transects. Shovel tests and transects maintained a 10-m 

interval. Shovel tests measured an average of 30 cm in diameter and were dug until sterile 

subsoil clay or bedrock was encountered. The contents of each shovel test were screened 

through one-quarter-inch hardware mesh. All recovered cultural materials, with the 

exception of recent cultural debris such as plastic, were retained and marked according 

to provenience. Coal, when observed, was noted then discarded. The location of each 

shovel test was plotted on project drawings (Figure 4). 

Area 1

Area 1, Transect 1, Shovel Test 1, was anchored 10 m south of Bay View Avenue 

(State Route 357), and immediately west of the construction fence. Thirty-four shovel 

tests were excavated on eight transects running WSW from this point (Figure 4). The 
11

number of shovel tests excavated on each transect varied from a minimum of three tests 

per transect (TR 7 and TR 8), to a maximum of five tests per transect (TR 1, TR 3, TR 

4, and TR 6). The transect area was delimited on the north and east by the fenced-off 

construction zone, and on the south and west by the slope of the 576 contour line. 

The central focus of interest in Area 1 was a rectangular depression thought to 

be associated with a late-nineteenth-century house that once stood in the area. The 

shallow depression measures approximately 15 m north-south by 5 m east-west. In the 

center of this depression is a large boulder and a flat, rectangular, poured-concrete pad, 

approximately 1 m by 0.5 m, located 1.5 m WNW of the boulder. The depression was later 

designated PEVI 1993 Site 1. An Ohio Archaeological Inventory (OAI) form submitted 

for this site received the number 33OT244. The UTM coordinates for site 33OT244 are 

N461296, E349280 to center. The site extent was recorded as 200 m2

. A large, old horse 

chestnut tree stands approximately 5 m north of the northeast corner of the depression. 

In addition, a short series of parallel bricks lies just north of the depression. The first 

row of bricks is immediately adjacent to the west side of the horse chestnut tree. The 

second row of bricks is approximately 1.47 m to the west of the first row. This pattern 

suggests the presence of a walk or edging. 

In order to test the assumption that a foundation was present at site 33OT244, a 

small test trench was excavated into the northeast bank of the house depression. This 

trench, measuring 2 m (grid north-south) by 0.5 m (grid east-west), was designated Unit 

1. The northeast corner of Unit 1 was located 5.2 m southwest of the west side of the horse 

chestnut tree. The southwest corner of Unit 1 was located 5.1 m north of the northwest 

corner of the boulder. Unit 1 was excavated in natural levels by a combination of shovel 

skimming and troweling. All soil was screened through one-quarter-inch hardware 

mesh, except for a layer of dense and compact yellow clay, which was unscreenable 

and was simply “chunked-out” and shovel-sorted. All cultural materials were collected 

except for modern debris such as plastic and coal, which were discarded. A few large 

pieces of brick and mortar were kept as samples.

Area 2

Area 2 encompasses approximately 130 m north-south and 69m. Area 2 is 

characterized by a broad expanse of residential lawn, intermittent trees, shrubs, and 

garden plantings. Several structures stand in this area, and several more have been 

removed. The extant buildings are:

• the Ladd House fronting Delaware Avenue,

• the Wurstner House fronting Toledo Avenue and in 1993 housing seasonal 

park employees,

• a maintenance complex, consisting of a shop, garage, and trailer along 

Chapman Avenue. 
12

PEVI

• Structures recently removed from Area 2 include:

• the Barnhill House, formerly fronting Toledo Avenue, was relocated,

• the Bergstrom House, formerly fronting Toledo Avenue, was demolished,

• the Mitchell House, at the corner of Toledo and Bay View Avenues, was burned,

• the Hemphill House, at the corner of Bay View and Chapman Avenues, was 

relocated,

• the Sutphin House, formerly fronting Chapman Avenue, was relocated,

• the Prendergast House, at the northwest corner of Chapman and Delaware 

Avenues, was relocated just across the street at the southwest corner of 

Chapman and Delaware Avenues. 

A map from the PEVI files shows the location of all structures, standing and 

removed. This map is the source of the data displayed in Figure 5. All structures appear 

to have dated from the late-nineteenth century into the twentieth century, with none 

considered historically significant. 

Eighty-one shovel tests were excavated on 13 transects, including five shovel 

tests excavated in order to bracket a positive shovel test in which a probable Woodland 

prehistoric potsherd was recovered. Area 2, Transect 1, Shovel Test 1, was anchored 5 

m south of the sidewalk that runs parallel to Bay View Avenue, and 5 m east of Toledo 

Avenue. From that point, all transects ran in a north-south direction at 10 m intervals. 

Transect 13 was offset by 1 m (that is, TR 13 was located 9 m south of TR 12, 3 m 

north of Delaware Avenue, and 5 m east of Toledo Avenue) in order to avoid potential 

disturbance by the adjacent Delaware Avenue. On average, transects consisted of seven 

shovel tests; however, transects 5 through 7 were truncated, as they lay directly in the 

path of structures (the Wurstner house and the maintenance shop, respectively). Survey 

methods remained the same as that described for Area 1. Figure 4 shows the locations of 

all transects and shovel tests. 

Area 3

Area 3, which represents the western boundary of the park, was once the location 

of five structures and two trailers. Three structures were relocated and a fourth, the Log 

Cabin Restaurant, was demolished, while the two trailers were burned. The nature of 

the fifth structure, indicated on the map as only a foundation, is unknown. Area 3 now 

consists of a broad expanse of lawn with sparse cultural plantings. 

Thirty shovel tests were excavated on three transects. Area 3, Transect 1, Shovel 

Test 1, was anchored 5 m south of the sidewalk parallel to Bay View Avenue, and 5 m 

east of the sidewalk parallel to Hartford Avenue. From that point, the transects ran in 
13

a north-south direction at 10-m intervals. Survey methods remained the same as those 

described for Areas 1 and 2. Figure 4 shows the locations of all transects and shovel tests.

Results

Area 1

Shovel test depths ranged from a minimum of 10 cm below surface (disturbed or 

gravel at top) to a maximum of 36 cm below surface. Nearly all tests excavated in this area 

displayed a disturbed soil profile. The soil of Area 1 is predominantly loamy and clayey 

material over Dolomitic limestone bedrock. The soil appeared to be stripped in some 

places and churned in others. This is consistent with the knowledge that the area had 

been filled and graded several times in the past, most recently in the 1970s. Additional 

disturbance occurred as a result of the viniculture in the area. Disturbed areas display 

yellow clay mottling throughout. Where natural deposition was encountered, the 

pattern was invariably a brown loam A horizon grading abruptly into a tan or dark 

yellow clay B horizon. A-horizon depths ranged from 12 cmbs to 35 cmbs (centimeters 

below surface), with an average depth of 20 cmbs. Pea-gravel occurred throughout the 

soil profile, with larger limestone rocks occurring in the B horizon. A major variation 

was that tests 24-34, the most southerly and westerly tests, were significantly sandier in 

texture, perhaps picking up the sand fill of the adjoining tombolo to the west. Tests 32 

and 33 also contained unusually large amounts of natural pea-gravel. Additionally, tests 

10, 11, 15, and 16 contained gravel towards the surface. This gravel appears to be cultural 

in origin and may represent a drive associated with the house depression (Site 1). Test 11, 

however, was in the house depression and the gravel there may relate to a foundation. 

Shovel Test 12 uncovered structural remains of mortar and rock. 

Only nine shovel tests were positive for cultural materials. These were not 

remarkable and included only faunal materials, flat glass, nails, whiteware, and 

yellowware in very minute quantities. A .32-caliber cartridge case and a couple of shards 

of bottle glass with a portion of an embossed product name were also recovered. Coal 

was observed, recorded, and discarded. These materials may represent the vestiges of an 

obliterated midden associated with the house site. Seven of the nine positive shovel tests 

lie to the south and east of the depression, suggesting a side or back yard midden scatter. 

For a complete list of the objects recovered from Area 1, see Appendix A. 

House Depression at Site 1 (33OT244)

A 2 m (grid north-south) by 0.5 m (grid east-west) trench was excavated into the 

northeast bank of the house depression and was designated Unit 1. Level 1 (0-30 cmbs) 

consisted of a 5 cm humus layer above a 25 cm layer of yellow clay in the northern third 

of the unit, a layer of dolomitic limestone rubble and decaying mortar in the center third 

of the unit, and a mixture of A horizon brown loam and yellow clay in the southern 

third of the unit. Pea-gravel occurred throughout. Level 1 produced sparse artifacts 

including a metal object resembling a key plate from a trunk, cut nails (including “floor” 

or “finishing” nails), wire nails, flat glass, green bottle glass, faunal materials, a small 

shell, a brick fragment, and sherds from a terra-cotta flower pot (from the southern third 
14

PEVI

of the unit). A couple of small samples of mortar were saved but the remaining mortar 

fragments, as well as coal, were discarded. 

The limestone and mortar rubble was designated Feature 1. The brown 

loam/yellow clay/decaying mortar fill surrounding the feature was screened 

but no artifacts were recovered. The highest exposed point of the feature 

(plan-view) was 4 cmbs; the lowest exposed point of the feature (plan-view) 

was 15 cmbs. The feature was excavated to a total depth of 50 cmbs. Feature 1, 

as exposed in Unit 1, is 140 cm long (north-south) and 50 cm wide (east-west). 

While Feature 1 is likely much larger than its exposed area suggests, time constraints did 

not allow for further excavation. No builder’s trench was evident. It appears that a small 

foundation was excavated and the limestone blocks were placed directly on it (Figure 6). 

Once Feature 1 was recorded, the remainder of Unit 1 was excavated as Level 

2 (30 to 50 cmbs). Level 2 consisted of compact tan or yellow clay with gravel, and 

limestone rubble and mortar overlaying dark brown compact loam original grade at 50 

cmbs. No artifacts were recovered from this level. 

Area 2

As with Area 1, Area 2 is almost completely disturbed, most likely by grading. 

Where undisturbed soil occurs it is similar to that of Area 1: a brown loam A horizon 

over a tan or dark yellow clay loam B horizon. Area 2, however, appears to be somewhat 

less sandy than Area 1. Only 16 of the 81 shovel tests were unambiguously undisturbed. 

Six additional tests displayed undisturbed soil beneath disturbed soil. All but three of 

the undisturbed tests were located in the southern half of Area 2. 

Thirteen tests were positive for cultural materials; all but two were in undisturbed 

tests. Generally, the cultural materials recovered were unremarkable: small sherds of 

stoneware, whiteware, and yellowware, flat glass and bottle glass shards, nails, and faunal 

materials. Coal and wire nails were discarded. A tiny probable Woodland prehistoric 

potsherd was recovered from Transect 13, Shovel Test 75. Unfortunately, Shovel Test 

75 appeared very disturbed–both by the close proximity of Delaware Avenue, and by 

an uprooted tree that stood immediately adjacent to it on the west. Recovered with the 

potsherd were a fragment of a child’s toy china dish or tea saucer and some bottle glass. 

Shovel Test 75 was bracketed by five tests (STs 77-81) at 2.5-m and 5-m intervals. All were 

disturbed and all were negative. Additionally, Shovel Test 61 produced Area 2’s only 

historic sherd with a maker’s backstamp. This fragment was produced by John Maddock 

and Sons, England, after 1906 (Godden 1964:406). 

The southern half of Area 2 is somewhat less disturbed than the northern half. 

Beyond that, the only apparent distribution pattern occurred in the area of the shallow 

depression at the former location of the Prendergast house. A few positive tests in 

moderately disturbed contexts suggest that both a back yard and a side yard midden may 

have existed. Buried features such as cisterns and privies may still be intact in Area 2. For 

a complete list of objects recovered from Area 2, see Appendix A. 
15

Area 3

Area 3 exhibited the greatest degree of soil disturbance of any of the survey zones. 

In this area, the original soil profile has been almost entirely obliterated by grading. In 

those few places where a reliable soil profile could be observed, the soils appeared to be 

similar to those of areas 1 and 2: a brown loam A horizon over a tan or dark yellow clay 

B horizon. However, the soil of Area 3 contains a somewhat higher percentage of peagravel than that of areas 1 and 2. Recent rain and poor drainage resulted in several tests 

terminating in ground water. No cultural materials were found in Area 3. 

Interpretation

Given the amount of disturbance by grading and filling that has occurred across 

the park, very little can be said about areas 2 and 3, except to reiterate the possibility that 

intact buried features may be present in the southern half of Area 2. This speculation is 

based on the slightly higher artifact concentration and lower degree of soil disturbance 

observed in the southern half of Area 2, as well as its association with “older,” i.e. latenineteenth and early-twentieth-century homes. 

The focal point of Area 1 is the house depression (Feature 1) at site 33OT244. 

This feature represents the remains of a house foundation consisting of an unknown 

number of courses of local Dolomitic limestone, thickly mortared, which apparently 

have been pushed into the former basement area. It appears that a small foundation was 

excavated and that limestone blocks were placed directly on it and then mortared into 

place. This feature is unusual in that foundations are rare on this part of South Bass 

Island as flooding is a constant threat. Most houses are built on piers, though excavated 

foundations are not unknown. Two major questions exist regarding this feature. First, 

can this feature be associated with a particular structure? Second, what is the purpose of 

the boulder and concrete pad that currently mark the site? 

The house, which is undoubtedly associated with these remains, is present in 

three photographs dating to the construction of the monument. Figures 7 and 8 show 

two views of the house. A third photograph, an aerial shot from the monument toward 

East Point, shows the house in clear association with a vineyard. These photographs 

show that the house was a large two-and-one-half-story structure with a gabled roof, 

a central chimney, two additions to the south facade, and a porch on the north facade. 

The two largest neighboring houses depicted in the third photograph are extant. The 

most northerly is the Inselruhe house (a National Register property), and the other is the 

Hunker house. The house associated with Site 1 is depicted as a standing structure on a 

park map dated January 1, 1938 (Figure 9), and local residents recall a family living there 

during the depression. The house site is noted as a “foundation, old dwelling” and its 

dimensions are denoted by a broken line on a map of unknown origin dated December 

1947 (Figure 10). By the 1960s, all vestiges of the house were gone, though the date and 

means of its demolition are unknown. 

While the author believes without reservation that this is the structure associated 

with Site 1, ownership history and associated chronology are difficult to assess due to 

the inconsistent nature of the PEVI and Ottawa County files. The 1947 map (Figure 10) 
16

PEVI

indicates that the property that included the house foundation was then owned by W. 

P. Huntington. However, a deed exists that appears to describe this parcel of land, but 

suggests a different ownership history. In the deed on file in the Ottawa County Deed 

Book, Volume 208, page 339, dated April 1, 1959, Sydney Frohman of Sandusky, Ohio, 

granted two parcels of land, including the property upon which stands Site 1, to the 

United States of America. This property was acquired by Frohman from the estate of 

William Schnoor on October 3, 1955. Schnoor acquired the property from the PerryBarclay Land Company on November 17, 1945. Presumably, the Perry-Barclay Land 

Company acquired the land from Mary F. Davis and Edith M. Lockwood who in turn 

acquired the land from the estate of Mary A. Lockwood, to whom the land belonged 

at the time of her death in 1893. This history is more consistent with the Park’s records, 

which indicate that the land was acquired from Mr. Frohman, as well as to elderly island 

residents who still refer to the property as the Mary Lockwood house. However, more 

research is required before making a reliable attribution. 

In the center of the house depression is a large boulder, apparently rolled there 

at the time the site was bulldozed. Also in the depression is a flat, rectangular, pouredconcrete pad, approximately 1 m by 0.5 m, located 1.5 m WNW of the boulder. Its size, 

location, apparent recent age, and overall general appearance initially suggested that it 

was neither original nor structural in function. The 1947 map (Figure 10) offers a clue, 

indicating a filled well at what looks to be very near the position of the boulder. If this 

is the case, the boulder could be capping a well or cistern. A similar explanation may 

explain the existence of the concrete pad. Presuming that, 1) Site 1 is the house shown 

in the third photograph (see above), 2) that the old horse chestnut tree that marks the 

site is the young tree shown adjacent to the north porch in the third photograph, and 3) 

that the boulder marks a well that was at the southeast corner of the south addition of 

the house, then it appears that Feature 1 represents the remains of a shallow foundation 

excavated under the southern addition of the house. The larger depression is most likely 

the result of bulldozing at the time the house was razed. 

THE 1993 SEWER LINE TRENCH

During August 1993, unmonitored trenching undertaken to connect PEVI’s 

waterlines to those of the village of Put-in-Bay unearthed a large scatter of latenineteenth- to early-twentieth-century artifacts. This trenching occurred along State 

Route 357 (Bay View Avenue). The historic midden was encountered on the south edge 

of State Route 357, extending from approximately 15 m (50 feet) to approximately 90 

m (300 feet) east of Chapman Avenue (Figure 10). Workers used a backhoe to trench 

to an unknown width and a depth of 1.2 m (4 feet). The precise depth of the midden 

is unknown, although it is believed to have been encountered near the bottom of the 

trench. The midden was found in heavily disturbed context and most likely represents 

a portion of an early Put-in-Bay town dump that was redeposited as fill in this area 

of the park, perhaps during the construction of the monument. While the earliest 

artifact collected may date to the 1860s and the latest may derive from 1930, the bulk 

of the materials are from the 1890s to approximately 1920, and thus are consistent with 

the placement of this fill/dump as roughly contemporary with the construction of the 

monument and attendant landscaping. Unfortunately, as the trenching was unmonitored 
17

and as examination by park personnel occurred after the fact, much information about 

this deposit has been lost. Park personnel collected only a sample of artifacts unearthed 

by the backhoe. Therefore very little is known of the true extent of this feature. 

Among the artifacts collected from the sewer line trench are complete bottles, 

including ardent spirits, wine, champagne, medicine, soda, food and condiment; 

pattern glass; whiteware, much of it thick; plain hotel ware, including soap dishes, tooth 

glasses, creamers, coffee mugs, and dinner plates, many impressed “hotel” on their base; 

stoneware, including spongeware; flow blue and Staffordshire transfer-print ceramic 

sherds; a ceramic figurine head; ladies’ leather shoes; portions of purses and suitcases; 

milk-glass-lined zinc canning jar lids; dry cell batteries; and various ferrous metal 

objects. Among the more interesting items collected were an unusual print bar from an 

early typewriter, a wooden recorder or flute, an ice skate, and a complete 110-volt Edison 

Mazda type light bulb. For a complete list of the objects recovered from the sewer line 

trench, see Appendix B. 

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Park-wide Survey

In summary, 145 shovel tests and one test trench were excavated during the 

three-day 1993 survey. The entire survey zone was highly disturbed by many years 

of filling and grading, thus obscuring all but the most deeply buried archeological 

features. The survey zone was divided in to three areas. Area 3 has a low probability for 

intact archeological features, as does the north half of Area 2. However, intact buried 

archeological features may be present in the southern half of Area 2. The southern half of 

Area 2 produced the survey’s only prehistoric artifact, a small rim sherd, found in highly 

disturbed context. As this portion of Area 2 may be disturbed during construction of a 

proposed new visitor center (still in the initial planning stages at this writing), on-site 

archeological monitoring of ground disturbance in this area is recommended. 

Site 1 (33OT244)

Area 1 was of the most interest because of the presence of the house depression 

(Feature 1) with the limestone and mortar foundation. This feature was designated PEVI 

1994 Site 1 and recorded as 33OT244 in the OAI. The 33OT244 foundation is interpreted 

as the remains of a large late-nineteenth-century home depicted on maps and in 

photographs in the PEVI files. The remainder of Area 1 shows signs of disturbance by 

grading and filling, as well as by vineyard cultivation associated with the house site. 

Artifact density was low across the entire survey zone, including Site 1/Feature 1. Further 

archival research into the history and ownership of this 33OT244 structure must be 

conducted before its significance can be determined. At this point, it is safe to presume 

that the structure that occupied Site 1 was associated with the grape production that 

was central to the economy of South Bass Island during the late-nineteenth and earlytwentieth centuries. It is recommended that site 33OT244 be left intact. 
18

PEVI

Sewer Line Trench

Unmonitored trenching for waterlines along the south edge of State Route 357 

encountered a large concentration of circa 1890s to 1920 artifacts in highly disturbed 

context. This midden likely represents a portion of the Put-in-Bay town dump, which 

was placed here during one of the many fill episodes that occurred in the area. Due to 

the unmonitored circumstances of the discovery, as well as to the disturbed context of 

the midden, no assessment of significance can be made. However, it is recommended 

that park personnel monitor any future ground disturbance(s) in this area. 
19

REFERENCES CITED

Bright, Arthur Aaron, Jr.

1972 The Electric-Lamp Industry: Technological Change and Economic Development 

from 1800 to 1947. Reprinted. Arno Press, New York. Originally published 1949. 

Macmillan Company, New York.

Collins, Gilbert

1998 Guidebook to the Historic Sites of the War of 1812. Dundurn Press, Toronto.

Davis, Richard S., G. Michael Pratt, and Duncan C. Wilkie

1976 A Prehistoric Village on Kelleys Island. The Explorer 18(3):11-19.

Dodge, Robert J.

1975 Isolated Splendor: Put-in-Bay and South Bass Island. Exposition Press, 

Hicksville, New York.

Fike, Richard E.

1987 The Bottle Book: A Comprehensive Guide to Historic Embossed Medicine 

Bottles. Peregrine Smith Books, Salt Lake City.

Fountain, John C., and Donald Colcleaser

1968 Dictionary of Soda and Mineral Bottles. “Ole” Empty Bottle House, Amador 

City, California.

Gates, William C., Jr., and Dana E. Ormerod

1982 The East Liverpool Pottery District: Identification of Manufacturers and Marks. 

Historical Archaeology 16:1-351.

Godden, Geoffrey

1964 Encyclopedia of British Pottery and Porcelain Marks. Bonanza Books, New 

York.

McDermott, John F.

1961 Seth Eastman: Pictorial Historian of the Indian. University of Oklahoma Press, 

Norman.

Musgrave, Donald K., and George D. Derringer

1985 Soil Survey of Ottawa County, Ohio. Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.

NPS (National Park Service)

1992 Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, Ohio: Development Concept 

Plan Revision, Interpretive Prospectus. National Park Service, U.S. Department of 

the Interior.
20

PEVI

Richner, Jeffrey J.

1992 Archeological Survey of Proposed Housing and Maintenance Building 

Development Area, Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial. Trip 

Report Dated May 22, 1992. Copy on file, Midwest Archeological Center, Lincoln, 

Nebraska.

Schoolcraft, Henry R.

1852 Information Respecting the History, Condition, and Prospects of the Indian 

Tribes of the United States, Volume 2. Lippincott, Grambo, and Company, 

Philadelphia.

1853 Information Respecting the History, Condition, and Prospects of the Indian 

Tribes of the United States, Volume 3. Lippincott, Grambo, and Company, 

Philadelphia.

Whittlesey, Charles

1877 Ancient Earthworks in Northern Ohio. Tract No. 41:3-39. Western Reserve and 

Northern Ohio Historical Society, Cleveland.

Williams, Petra

1978 Staffordshire Romantic Transfer Patterns. Fountain House East, Jeffersontown, 

Kentucky.

Williams, Sherda K., and Susan Calafate Boyle

1993 Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial Put-in-Bay, Ohio: 

Cultural Landscape Report. Draft report dated 2/5/93. National Park 

Service, Midwest Regional Office, Planning and Resource Preservation, 

Omaha, Nebraska.
21

Figure 1. Project Area in Northern Ohio.

CATAWBA

ERIE ST

CONCORD AVE

DELAWARE AVE

HARTFORD

LORAINE AVE

LANGRAM RD

TOLEDO AVE

DOLLAR 

BATH ST

CHAPMAN

BAY ST

CINCINNATI AVE

PARK DR

CHICAGO AVE

COLUMBUS AVE

DETROIT AVE

AVE

AVE

AVE

AVE

LAKEVIEW AVE

VICTORY LN

PARK AVE

T-269 / CHAPMAN RD

EAST

POINT

BLVD

BAY VIEW

AVE

BAY

VIEW

AVE

Gibraltar Island

Town Hall & Police Station

Fire Station

Post

Oce

L a k e E r i e

L a k e E r i e

0m 100m

(Approximate)

N

Midwest Archeological Center 1/2012

PROJECT LOCATION

Perry’s Victory 

and International 

Peace Memorial

Midden

Area
22

PEVI

Figure 2. South Bass Island and Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial.

NIAGARA AVE

WEST SHORE RD

MITCHELL RD

WEST

ROUTE

PUT-IN-BAY RD

THOMPSON RD

SOUTH BASS ISLAND 

STATE PARK

PEACH ORCHARD 

POINT

GIBRALTAR 

ISLAND

PUT-IN-BAY

ROUTE

EAST POINT RD

SHORE RD STATE

357

PUT-IN-BAY 

AIRFIELD

LANGRAM RD

STATE

357 PERRY’S VICTORY AND 

INTERNATIONAL PEACE 

MEMORIAL

L A K E E R I E

L A K E E R I E

0 1000 2000

Feet

N

Midwest Archeological Center 1/2012

South Bass Island
23

Figure 3. The 1992 Survey Zone in the Housing and Maintenance Development Area.

Remnant of

old house
24
25

Figure 4. The 1993 Survey Zone Showing Extant and Former Structures; Areas 1, 2, and 3; and the Shovel Test Grids 

575

580

575

575

580

1

2

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20 21

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31 32

33

34

BAY VIEW AVE

TOLEDO AVE

CHAPMAN AVE

DELAWARE AVE

STATE ROUTE 357

STATE ROUTE 357

0 60 120

Feet

N

Shore Line

Park Boundary

Road

Sidewalk

Building or Foundation

Former Structures

Shovel Test (Negative)

Shovel Test (Positive)

Midwest Archeological Center 2/2012

PEVI 1993 Survey Zones

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

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27 28

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30 3132

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34 35

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60 61

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66 67

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71 72

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81

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13 14

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23 24

25

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30

Concrete Pad

X

X X X

X

X X

AREA 1

AREA 2

AREA 3
26
27

Figure 5. The locations of all structures, standing and removed. 

575

580

575

575

580

BAY VIEW AVE

TOLEDO AVE

CHAPMAN AVE

DELAWARE AVE

STATE ROUTE 357

STATE ROUTE 357

0 60 120

Feet

N

Shore Line

Park Boundary

Sidewalk Road

Building or Foundation

Former Structures

Midwest Archeological Center 1/2014

PEVI Locations of All Structures,

Standing and Removed

Concrete Pad
28
29

Figure 6. Plan and Profile Views of Feature 1 in Test Unit 1 at Site 1 (33OT244). 

A Horizon & Yellow Clay

Humus

Yellow Clay

A Horizon (Brown Loam)

Feature 1

(Limestone & Mortar Foundation)

Rock Rubble

20 cmbd

40 cmbd

Surface

Cobble

0 20

cm

PEVI Site 1993-1

Area 1

Test Unit 1

Feature 1

East Wall Prole

5/5/1993

PEVI Feature 1993-1

Midwest Archeological Center 1/2012

0 20

cm

PEVI Site 1993-1

Area 1

Test Unit 1

Foundation

5/5/1993

Mortar

Cracked, spalling surface

Beach Cobble

320 ̊

A Horizon Surface

200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

Rock pushed o 

of wall and lying 

at a steep angle

Intact Wall Portion of Wall Broken and Pushed into “Basement”

31 cmbs

31 cmbs 27 cmbs

27 cmbs

4

cm

bs

7 cmbs

15

cmbs

6

cm

bs

23 

cm

bs

29 cmbs

12 

cmbs

Rock

&

Mortar

Rock
30
31

Figure 7. June 1912 Photograph of Rail Dock Showing Site 1 (33OT244). View to Northeast. 

(Unknown source.) 

Figure 8. Undated Photograph of Plaza Steps Showing Site 1 (33OT244), from the 1912-1915 

Construction of the Monument. View to East. (Unknown source.) 
32

PEVI

Figure 9. Site 1 (33OT244) Shown in 1938 Map. (Source: United States Department of 

the Interior.) 
33

Figure 10. Site 1 (33OT244) Shown in 1947 Map. (Unknown source) 
34

PEVI

Figure 11. Extent of Redeposited Historic Midden in Sewer Line Trench. 

STATE ROUTE 357

CHAPMAN AVE

L A K E E R I E

0 70

8

35

0 16

Feet

Meters

Sea Wall

Road

Sewer Line

Sidewalk

Artifacts Present in Trench

Greatest Concentration 

of Artifacts

N

Historic Midden in Sewer Line Trench

Midwest Archeological Center 2/2012
35

APPENDIX A

PEVI 1993, Area 1 Shovel Tests.

Provenience Artifact Description

ST 2 1 yellowware body sherd, colorless glaze

ST 8 2 bone fragments

ST 18 1 undecorated whiteware body sherd

ST 21 1 undecorated witeware body sherd;

1 molded redware body sherd, unglazed;

2 colorless curved glass body shards;

1 wire nail;

2 cut nails;

1 cut nail fragment;

1 ferrous metal railroad spike;

1 (.32) cartidge casing, "W R A Co 32 C"

ST 24 1 aqua glass body shard with embossed letter "...LEN..." (probable panel bottle);

1 colorless glass body shard;

1 cut nail;

1 unidentified nail

ST 25 1 yellowware body sherd, colorless glaze;

1 colorless glass body shard with portion of frosted decoration;

2 cut nails;

1 bone fragment

ST 26 1 cut nail

PEVI 1993, Area 1, Unit 1 Artifacts.

Provenience Artifact Description

Unit 1, Level 1 2 redware flowerpot body sherds;

1 light green glass body shard;

2 green glass body shards;

10 flat glass fragments;

2 brick fragments;

2 mortar fragments;

1 bone; 

3 bone fragments;

1 wire nail;

3 cut nails;

4 cut nail fragments;

1 escutcheon plate for trunk lock, non-ferrous metal
36

PEVI

PEVI 1993, Area 2, Proposed Visitor Center Shovel Tests.

Provenience Artifact Description

ST 2 1 stoneware rim sherd, saltglazed with unidentified blue decoration, Albany slip 

interior

ST 19 1 yellowware body sherd, colorless glaze

ST 33 1 cobalt blue glass body shard;

1 flat glass fragment

ST 36 1 stoneware body sherd, saltglazed, Albany slip interior

ST 39 1 bone fragment

ST 49 2 undecorated whiteware body sherds (refit)

ST 52 1 yellowware rim sherd, colorless glaze;

1 flat glass fragment

ST 54 2 cut nails;

2 bone fragments: 1 burned, 1 cut

ST 61 1 undecorated whiteware base sherd with mark: “ROYAL SEMI PORCELAIN JOHN 

MADDOCK & SONS ENGLAND” 1906+ (see Godden 1964:406);

1 amber glass body shard;

2 cut nails;

1 cut bone fragment

ST 65 1 undecorated whiteware body sherd

ST 69 2 undecorated whiteware body sherds (refit, probable cup);

1 cut nail

ST 75 1 molded porcelain rim-to-base sherd, doll’s china;

1 prehistoric ceramic rim sherd, flat flaring lip, excurvate profile, grit temper;

1 aqua glass body shard
37

APPENDIX B

PEVI 1993, Sewer Line Trench Personal Artifacts.

Artifact Description Artifact Count

Wooden flute/recorder 1

Ceramic figurine head 1

Small metal purse frame and clasp 1

Large metal purse frame & clasp 1

Leather shoes and fragments 4

Sea shells 2

Colorless bottle, "ALFRED WRIGHT PERFUMER ROCHESTER, NY" 1

Ferrous metal skate blade 1

Total 12

PEVI 1993, Sewer Line Trench Agricultural Artifacts, Machinery, and Tools.

Artifact Description Artifact Count

Electrical device, "2A 125V HTP CO PAT SEPT 9 1901" 1

Wet cell battery lid, "EDISON LALANDE BATTERY PAT MAR 20 1883 

OTHER PATENTS APPLIED FOR"

1

Typewriter print bar 1

Ferrous metal strap 2

Ferrous metal strap with pulley 1

Ferrous metal hoop 1

Ferrous metal harness ring 6

Ferrous metal bolt 2

Ferrous metal U-bolt 1

Ferrous metal heavy gauge wire 1

Ferrous metal hook 1

Ferrous metal ring (4" diameter) 1

Ferrous metal draw knife 1

Ferrous metal wagon part (one end threaded) 1

Unidentified ferrous metal 3

Harness leather 1

Light bulb with lead in glass, pre 1915 (Bright 1972:353) 1

White ceramic doorknob 1

Ferrous metal pipe (1/2") 1

Ferrous metal pipe (1 1/4") 1

Total 29
38

PEVIPEVI 1993, Sewer Line Trench Domestic Artifacts.

Artifact Description No. Maker or Mark Date ReferenceCeramics Decorated Blue transfer-print porcelain base 1 Flow blue whiteware rim 1 Flow blue whiteware base 1 "CLARENCE"; W.H. Grindley & Co. Post 1891-94 Gooden 1964:294 Blue transfer-print whiteware rim 1 "LIGHTHOUSE...-191..." Probably post-1910 Blue transfer-print whiteware rim 1 Ontario Lake Scenery, J. Heath

 Blue sponge decorate stoneware 4 Hotel Ware (undecorated whiteware) Plate base 1 "HOMER LAUGHLIN HOTEL CHINA" ca. 1901-ca. 1915 Gates and Omerod 1982:135(115a)

 Plate base 1 "HOTEL" & Crest; Homer Laughlin ca. 1880-ca. 1900 Gates and Omerod 1982:134(114a) Plate half 1 Thomas Furnival & Sons 1871-90 Godden 1964:263 Plate base 1 "Opaque Porcelaine", Edward Clarke 

Tunstall

1865-77 Godden 1964:147

 Plate base 1 Edward Clarke Tunstall 1865-77 Godden 1964:147 Plate base 2 Royal Arms

 Oval (soap) dish 2 "HOTEL"

 Oval (soap) dish 2 Mug (2 with handle) 4 Small cream container 2 Miscellaneous Undecorated Ceramics Porcelain base (deep saucer) 1 Knowles, Taylor, & Knowles ca. 1890-ca. 1910 Gates & Ormerod 1982:125 (107d)

 Whiteware saucer half 1 Knowles, Taylor, & Knowles ca. 1890-ca. 1910 Gates & Ormerod 1982:125 (107d) Whiteware plate base 1 J & G Meakin, Hamley England Probably 1890+ Godden 1964:427 Whiteware oval base 1 Harker Pottery Co 1890-ca. 1910 Gates & Ormerod 1982:83 (66d) Whiteware saucer base 1 "Ironstone China" Cockson & Seddon 1875-1877 Godden 1964:159 Stoneware seltzer bottle fragment 3 "J. FRIEDRI...GROSSK" with seal
39

PEVI 1993, Sewer Line Trench Domestic Artifacts. Miscellaneous porcelain sherds 2 Miscellaneous stoneware sherds 4Glass Medicine Bottles Small round milk glass 1 "MENTHALATUM", Yucca Co 1889+ Fike 1987:83 Rectangular light green 1 "DR SHOOP'S FAMILY MEDICINE RACINE Late 1880s-1912 Fike 1987:150

WI"

 Rectangular aqua 1 "DR. S PITCHER'S CASTORIA S 20" ca. 1868-ca. 1890 Fike 1987:177 (Fig. 180) Round cobalt blue, hand finished 1 "BROMO SELZTER EMERSON DRUG CO 1889-1907 Fike 1987:111

BALT MD"

 Square brown 1 "KEASBY & MATTISON CHEMISTS, PHILA. 1870-1882 Fike 1987:46

PA"

 Miscellaneous Bottles Round aqua with metal stopper 1 "HOPPE AND STRUB B CO TOLEDO" ca. 1892 Fountain & Colcleaser 1968:9-10

 Round aqua 7 1/2 fl. oz. 1 "PORT CLINTON BOTTLING WORKS, PT. 

CL. OH"

 Round colorless dressing server 1 Round colorless 1 "12" Round colorless, screw top 1 "7-K-693" Round colorless sauce bottle 1 "PATENT APPLIED FOR" Coca-Cola bottle 1 "CLEVELAND O 11" Large round green 1 "CLYSMIC" Small square colorless 1 "MANUFACTURED BY CHARLES E. HIRES 

CO PHILA PA HIRES ROOT BEER MAKES FIVE GALLONS OF A DELICIOUS DRINK"

 Large brown ardent spirit 1 Kidney-shaped colorless 1 Miscellaneous Glass Jar lid liner 3 Conolidated Fruit (1);

Hero Fruit (1)
40

PEVI PEVI 1993, Sewer Line Trench Domestic Artifacts. Lamp chimney, machined piecrust 1

 Colorless oil lamp base 1 Colorless goblet base 1 Colorless pressed glass tumbler 1 Light green jar base 1 "PAT NOV 27 67 268" Dark green bottle base 2 Aqua bottle base, round 1 Pressed milk glass 3 Blue pressed glass 1 Blueand white ribboned glass 1 Colorless pressed glass 4 Colorless prescription bottle finish 2 Colorless handle, frosted interior 1Miscellaneous Domestic Ferrous metal "Lightning" bottle closure 2 Ferrous metal mop head 1 Coal 1 Bone (2 cut) and shell 4 Lamp fragment, metal 2 Zinc jar lid liner 2 Ferrous metal pot handle 1 Ferrous metal turnkey (for can) 1 Ferrous metal rug beater 1 Copper pot 1Total 95