Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
After war broke out between the United States and Great Britain in 1812, Sackets Harbor became the center of American
naval and military activity for the upper St. Lawrence Valley and Lake Ontario.
6.
Sackets Harbor
SouthfromCapeVincent,theroadwindsbysinuousbaysandinletsacrossrollingpasture-
landwheredairycattlegraze.AsyoupassintothelittletownofChaumont,noticeitsmany
intriguingstructuresbuiltoflocallyquarriedbluelimestone.Theroutethenswingsintothe
historic village of Sackets Harbor, used as a naval base from 1808 until the 1940s.
DuringtheWarof1812,theBritishtriedtocaptureit,launchingtwofuriousbutunsuc-
cessful assaults upon the thousands of Americans occupying the town. Walking tours take
you to the battle zones, including the solid brick-and-limestone Madison Barracks, where
Ulysses S. Grant was stationed in the 1830s. Today the structure has been converted into a
residential community. The three-story Federal-style Union Hotel, built in 1817 and where
Grant played checkers as a young army lieutenant is now the Great Lakes Seaway Trail
Discovery Center.
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