Nathan Perry Trading Post Monument Dedication – June 1925

The monument in its current location

Just a short stroll from the bench by the Bascule Bridge is the monument erected in 1925 by the Nathan Perry Post of the Daughters of the American Revolution. It commemorates the founding of a trading post with the Indians by Nathan Perry, Jr. in 1807.

It used to have a more prominent position in the riverside park facing the river (as seen on the postcard below). 

As its original location is now paved over as part of the parking lot, the monument is now located at the end of Alabama Avenue near the entrance to the Coast Guard station (see circled area below). 

I did a previous post about the monument back in August 2012.

So why am I writing about it again? Because I recently found the newspaper articles printed at the time of the monument's dedication. Despite the date on the stone, it seems that the monument was not dedicated on May 30, 1925. For some reason, the dedication ended up getting pushed into June.

Here's a mention of the upcoming dedication that ran in the Thursday, June 11, 1925 Lorain Times-Herald. (No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you – the type is a little crooked.)

And here's the article that ran on the front page of the June 16, 1925 Lorain Times-Herald – 91 years ago today – about the dedication, which took place the day before. I've transcribed the complete article below it.

D.A.R. MARKS TRADING POST AND PRESENTS CITY MEMORIAL TABLET

Bronze Memorial Set in Stone at Riverside Park With Impressive Ceremonies Monday Afternoon

An impressive service marked the presentation of the Nathan Perry memorial tablet to the city yesterday afternoon by the Nathan Perry Post, Daughters of the American Revolution.

The table of bronze is set in a huge boulder in Riverside Park to commemorate the setting up of a trading post by Nathan Perry Jr. in 1807. The exact spot where the trading post was located is now covered by the waters of Lake Erie. Perry was the first white settler in Lorain.

The services were opened with the singing of "America" by the gathering, accompanied by Walter Waitt, trumpeter. Then followed the salute to the flag.

A prayer of thanks by Mrs. H. H. Brightman was followed by the reading "Why These Markers," by Mrs. Theodore Oehlke, and the presentation of the memorial to the city by Mrs. D. E. Stephan.

William A. Miller, service director, in accepting the tablet for the city commended the D. A. R. for their wonderful patriotic spirit, and their work in establishing such a memorial to that important phase in the history of Lorain.

A trio comprised of Ruth Armstrong, Margaret Foisy and Lawrence LaFleur of Longfellow junior high school sang "The Maple Tree." This part of the service was in commemoration of the two trees planted near the memorial by members of the school.

Mrs. D. J. Boone gave a number of poems which were followed by the prayer of dedication by Rev. J. A. Scott, pastor of the Delaware M. E. church.