In 1812, at the outbreak of war between the US and Britain, the US Navy established a naval yard in Sackets Harbor to build warships for the purpose of gaining control of the Great Lakes. The 3000 men who worked at the shipyard and the villagers of Sackets Harbor were protected by thousands of soldiers manning the five small forts and the earthworks that surrounded the village.
In the first battle of Sackets Harbor the brig USS Oneida and shore batteries forced five invading British ships to return to Canada. The second battle occurred when British troops landed at Sackets Harbor in May 1813. The battle claimed the lives of 49 British soldiers and 307 US soldiers before the British retreated. The village didn't see any more action but the site was used up to WWII as a military base, hospital post, and training post.
Nothing from the War of 1812 remains but there is a walking trail of the battlegrounds with interpretive signs. The trail makes a loop and has five buildings with exhibits. The 1850s Commandant's House is opened for guided tours only.
The trail is finely crushed stone or paved. It's fairly flat and accessible. The barn which has exhibits about the battles is accessed over a grassy path and has a short ramp and a metal threshold. The ground floor of the farmhouse which has exhibits about archeology is accessed by a ramp at the rear of the building. It looks like it goes to the restrooms only and is easy to miss. The Lieutenant's House has exhibits and is accessed in the rear by a lift that goes to the porch. Knock very loudly because there's a storage area and another door between the porch and the front desk. The boat yard exhibit buildings are down a long steep boardwalk. The doors are sticky and require a good push to get them to open. The Commandant's House is not accessible.
From Main Street turn south onto Hill Street to get to a large parking lot where any vehicle will fit. Sackets Harbor 43.94769, -76.12737
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