Betsy Ross, the Cannon

Betsy Ross, known locally as the cannon in Waterworks Park, formerly Perry Park, is relic of Perry’s victory over the British in 1813. Betsy is a carronade cannon that was found on the shore of Put-In-Bay, originally called Ross Island.

The cannon is referred to in Sketches and Stories of the Lake Erie Islands by Lydia Ryall. The cannon bears the initials H.M.N. (His/Her Majesty’s Navy). The initials B.C. are found on the cannon indicating that the cannon was made by Birmingham Cannon making it a British cannon.

The cannon was purchased by Port Clinton Mayor Henry J. Rohrs prior to 1904. Mayor Rohrs left the area in early 1905.

Initially the cannon was mounted on large carriage wheels which were not historically accurate. This cannon was normally mounted on the upper deck rather than below decks. Eventually the Matthews Boat Plant created a new appropriate mounting.

The Port Clinton Progressive Times of February 1930 contains a very informative article about the cannon.

The Ottawa County Courthouse

The Ida Rupp Public Library is pleased to re-introduce the local history blog. This month’s feature is the Ottawa County Courthouse.

The structure is typical Richard Romanesque style. Its construction is of North Amherst, Ohio sandstone and pink Tennessee marble. The foundation is made from local Marblehead limestone.

The Courthouse was started in 1898 and completed in 1901. The contracted construction price was to be $47,500. Additions and changes brought the final cost to $60,000. The addition of steam heat and furnishings brought the total to $65,500.

A ¼ mill tax levy generated property taxes sufficient to produce a tablet that lists the name of every soldier and sailor who served in the American Civil War.

A lesser known but intriguing fact is that during construction a five-ton stone fell when a cable broke knocking Conrad Balduf to the ground. Fortunately, Balduf was not seriously injured. The construction company presented “Coonie” with a jersey cow as he has just lost a milk cow before this incident.

In 1974, the Courthouse was added to the National Register of Historical Places.

For further reading, please refer to:

          Henry House, Historical Collection of Ohio. Centennial Edition,

          1902, 2 vol.

          The Heritage of Port Clinton, Ohio, A Collection of Writings by Port Clinton                               Historians, edited by Barbara Bailey.