River Raisin National Battlefield Park
Encyclopedia
The River Raisin National Battlefield Park was established as the 393rd unit of the United States National Park Service
under Title VII of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act, which was signed into law on March 30, 2009. The park is located in the city of Monroe
in Monroe County
, Michigan
. It was designated as a Michigan Historic Site
on February 18, 1956. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places
on December 10, 1982. It began operations as a National Park unit on October 22, 2010. It is the only National Battlefield Park from the War of 1812.
, which saw hundreds of Americans fall at the hands of the British Army
and Indian
coalition during the War of 1812
. The fighting took place from January 18–23, 1813. The first engagement, sometimes referred to as the “first” Battle of the River Raisin, was a success for the American forces against the British and Indian alliance. Angered by their forced retreat, the British and Native Americans counterattack
ed the unsuspecting American forces four days later on January 22 in the same location along the River Raisin
. Many of the Americans were ill-prepared and were unable to even retreat from the surprise ambush.
During the Battle of Frenchtown, American brigadier general James Winchester
reported that only 33 of his approximate 1,000 men escaped the battlefield. 397 were killed, and 547 were taken prisoner, which marked the deadliest conflict ever on Michigan soil and the worst single defeat the Americans suffered in the entire War of 1812. Dozens of defenseless and previously wounded Americans were killed by the Native Americans after the battle on January 23 in an act referred to as the River Raisin Massacre. The total casualties among the British and Native American alliance are unknown.
on February 18, 1956, although the exact date at which the park was first organized is unknown. The location of the site is bounded by North Dixie Highway, the River Raisin
, Detroit Avenue, and Mason Run Creek. While the Battle of Frenchtown is so named because it took place within Frenchtown
, the primary the area of the battlefield is within the present-day city limits of Monroe
. The area of conflict extended during the three days of battle several miles to the north and south of the current park site. The current park area encompasses some 40 acres (16 ha) of undeveloped land on Monroe’s east side approximately one-quarter mile (0.4 km) east of Interstate 75
. The area contains houses on the outer fringe along East Elm Avenue, and much of the area is occupied by urban development. The River Raisin Paper Company built a large paper mill
on the site around 1911, which operated under multiple owners until 1995.
The site was recognized nationally when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places
on December 10, 1982. It was officially listed as the River Raisin Battlefield Site (20MR227). In July 1990, the Monroe County Historic Commission and the Monroe County Historic Society opened the River Raisin Battlefield Visitor Center within the site at 1403 East Elm Avenue. The museum contains a few relics from the original battle that were discovered during archeological investigations. The park holds a memorial service every January to commemorate all the soldiers that fought in the Battle of Frenchtown, including the British and Indian soldiers that fought against the Americans. Expansion to the present-day park boundaries commenced in 1995 with closure of the paper mill, at which time the City of Monroe organized efforts for restoration of the entire battlefield site. The City, Historical Society, and property owner negotiated, acquired and facilitated clean up the former paper mill property and adjacent landfill area for future donation to the park service, as well as transferring a large expanse of wetland marsh to the State of Michigan for expansion of the adjacent Sterling State Park. Acquisitions were complete by 2006, the paper mill was demolished by 2009, the cleanup finished in 2010, and land transfers were completed in 2011.
The River Raisin Battlefield Site was chosen to be included as a unit of the National Park Service
. The first step toward promotion to the national level was the River Raisin National Battlefield Act (H.R. 401.IH), which was passed by the House of Representatives
of the 111th Congress
on January 9, 2009. This bill stated that the future national battlefield site would include land in both Monroe
and Wayne
counties that has been deemed significant to the Battle of Frenchtown.
The passing of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act on March 30, 2009 allocated the funding necessary to promote the site to the status of a National Battlefield Site
. The park has been authorized as such but was not officially established with the passing of the bill. It was included in the bill largely thanks to the work of Michigan natives and United States senators Carl Levin
and Debbie Stabenow
, as well as history enthusiast and iconic Congressman John Dingell
. The site is only the fourth such listing in the United States National Park System. It is the sixth park in Michigan listed on the National Park Service, which includes Isle Royale National Park
, Keweenaw National Historical Park
, Father Marquette National Memorial
, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
.
The park is still being developed to meet the standards necessary of the National Park Service, and the elements of the park depend largely on the amount of funding. According to the National Park Traveler, the construction of and promotion of a national park typically takes eight years, which includes a variety of obstacles, such as land acquisition, funding, a management plan, and tourism facilities. However, since the county has already preserved and managed the battlefield site, this process took considerably less time. While locals are enthusiastic to have a close area dedicated to the National Park System, the battlefield site is not expected to produce a noticeable economic impact. Projected attendance to the park upon its completion has been estimated to range from only 20,000–25,000 visitors a year. The other three National Battlefield Parks, which all relate to the Civil War
, receive considerably more visitors, based on attendance figures from 2005: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
(1,005,510), Manassas National Battlefield Park
(715,622), and Richmond National Battlefield Park
(68,438).
The battlefield park has also recently been connected to the nearby Sterling State Park
through a newly completed nature trail, which may bring in more visitors to both parks. The president of the Monroe County Historical Society, William Braunlich, is hopeful that sufficient funding will be provided in time for the park’s completion before the bicentennial celebration of the Battle of Frenchtown, which will take place on January 22, 2013. The site began operations as a National Park unit on October 22, 2010.
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
under Title VII of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act, which was signed into law on March 30, 2009. The park is located in the city of Monroe
Monroe, Michigan
Monroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
in Monroe County
Monroe County, Michigan
Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2010 population is 152,021. The largest city and county seat is Monroe. The U.S. Census Bureau defines all of Monroe County as conterminous with the Monroe Metropolitan Area...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It was designated as a Michigan Historic Site
Michigan State Historic Preservation Office
The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office is in charge of the listing of historic resources of local, state, and national interest in the U.S. state of Michigan, including buildings, lighthouses, bridges, historic districts, and many other properties deemed important to the history of Michigan...
on February 18, 1956. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on December 10, 1982. It began operations as a National Park unit on October 22, 2010. It is the only National Battlefield Park from the War of 1812.
Background
The area was the site of the devastating Battle of FrenchtownBattle of Frenchtown
The Battle of Frenchtown, also known as the Battle of the River Raisin or the River Raisin Massacre, was a series of conflicts that took place from January 18–23, 1813 during the War of 1812...
, which saw hundreds of Americans fall at the hands of the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
and Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
coalition during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. The fighting took place from January 18–23, 1813. The first engagement, sometimes referred to as the “first” Battle of the River Raisin, was a success for the American forces against the British and Indian alliance. Angered by their forced retreat, the British and Native Americans counterattack
Counterattack
A counterattack is a tactic used in response against an attack. The term originates in military strategy. The general objective is to negate or thwart the advantage gained by the enemy in attack and the specific objectives are usually to regain lost ground or to destroy attacking enemy units.It is...
ed the unsuspecting American forces four days later on January 22 in the same location along the River Raisin
River Raisin
The River Raisin is a river in southeastern Michigan, United States that flows through glacial sediments into Lake Erie. The area today is an agricultural and industrial center of Michigan. The river flows for almost , draining an area of in the Michigan counties of Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw,...
. Many of the Americans were ill-prepared and were unable to even retreat from the surprise ambush.
During the Battle of Frenchtown, American brigadier general James Winchester
James Winchester
James Winchester was an officer in the American Revolutionary War and a brigadier general during the War of 1812. He commanded the American forces at the Battle of Frenchtown, which led to the Massacre of the River Raisin....
reported that only 33 of his approximate 1,000 men escaped the battlefield. 397 were killed, and 547 were taken prisoner, which marked the deadliest conflict ever on Michigan soil and the worst single defeat the Americans suffered in the entire War of 1812. Dozens of defenseless and previously wounded Americans were killed by the Native Americans after the battle on January 23 in an act referred to as the River Raisin Massacre. The total casualties among the British and Native American alliance are unknown.
Recent history
The River Raisin Battlefield Site was listed as a Michigan Historic SiteMichigan State Historic Preservation Office
The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office is in charge of the listing of historic resources of local, state, and national interest in the U.S. state of Michigan, including buildings, lighthouses, bridges, historic districts, and many other properties deemed important to the history of Michigan...
on February 18, 1956, although the exact date at which the park was first organized is unknown. The location of the site is bounded by North Dixie Highway, the River Raisin
River Raisin
The River Raisin is a river in southeastern Michigan, United States that flows through glacial sediments into Lake Erie. The area today is an agricultural and industrial center of Michigan. The river flows for almost , draining an area of in the Michigan counties of Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw,...
, Detroit Avenue, and Mason Run Creek. While the Battle of Frenchtown is so named because it took place within Frenchtown
Frenchtown Charter Township, Michigan
Frenchtown Charter Township is a charter township of Monroe County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,777 at the 2000 census. Frenchtown is the second most populated township in Monroe County after Bedford Township...
, the primary the area of the battlefield is within the present-day city limits of Monroe
Monroe, Michigan
Monroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
. The area of conflict extended during the three days of battle several miles to the north and south of the current park site. The current park area encompasses some 40 acres (16 ha) of undeveloped land on Monroe’s east side approximately one-quarter mile (0.4 km) east of Interstate 75
Interstate 75 in Michigan
Interstate 75 is a part of the Interstate Highway System and runs from Miami, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I-75 enters the state from Ohio in the south, just to the north of Toledo. It runs generally north through Detroit, Pontiac and Bay City, crossing the...
. The area contains houses on the outer fringe along East Elm Avenue, and much of the area is occupied by urban development. The River Raisin Paper Company built a large paper mill
Paper mill
A paper mill is a factory devoted to making paper from vegetable fibres such as wood pulp, old rags and other ingredients using a Fourdrinier machine or other type of paper machine.- History :...
on the site around 1911, which operated under multiple owners until 1995.
The site was recognized nationally when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on December 10, 1982. It was officially listed as the River Raisin Battlefield Site (20MR227). In July 1990, the Monroe County Historic Commission and the Monroe County Historic Society opened the River Raisin Battlefield Visitor Center within the site at 1403 East Elm Avenue. The museum contains a few relics from the original battle that were discovered during archeological investigations. The park holds a memorial service every January to commemorate all the soldiers that fought in the Battle of Frenchtown, including the British and Indian soldiers that fought against the Americans. Expansion to the present-day park boundaries commenced in 1995 with closure of the paper mill, at which time the City of Monroe organized efforts for restoration of the entire battlefield site. The City, Historical Society, and property owner negotiated, acquired and facilitated clean up the former paper mill property and adjacent landfill area for future donation to the park service, as well as transferring a large expanse of wetland marsh to the State of Michigan for expansion of the adjacent Sterling State Park. Acquisitions were complete by 2006, the paper mill was demolished by 2009, the cleanup finished in 2010, and land transfers were completed in 2011.
Promotion to the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
. The first step toward promotion to the national level was the River Raisin National Battlefield Act (H.R. 401.IH), which was passed by the House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
of the 111th Congress
111th United States Congress
The One Hundred Eleventh United States Congress was the meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government from January 3, 2009 until January 3, 2011. It began during the last two weeks of the George W. Bush administration, with the remainder spanning the first two years of...
on January 9, 2009. This bill stated that the future national battlefield site would include land in both Monroe
Monroe County, Michigan
Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2010 population is 152,021. The largest city and county seat is Monroe. The U.S. Census Bureau defines all of Monroe County as conterminous with the Monroe Metropolitan Area...
and Wayne
Wayne County, Michigan
-History:Wayne County was one of the first counties formed when the Northwest Territory was organized. It was named for the American general "Mad Anthony" Wayne. It originally encompassed the entire area of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, as well as small sections that are now part of northern...
counties that has been deemed significant to the Battle of Frenchtown.
The passing of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act on March 30, 2009 allocated the funding necessary to promote the site to the status of a National Battlefield Site
National Military Park
National Military Park, National Battlefield, National Battlefield Park, and National Battlefield Site are four designations for 24 battle sites preserved by the United States federal government because of their national importance...
. The park has been authorized as such but was not officially established with the passing of the bill. It was included in the bill largely thanks to the work of Michigan natives and United States senators Carl Levin
Carl Levin
Carl Milton Levin is a Jewish-American United States Senator from Michigan, serving since 1979. He is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
and Debbie Stabenow
Debbie Stabenow
Deborah Ann Greer "Debbie" Stabenow is the junior United States Senator from Michigan and a member of the Democratic Party. Before her election to the U.S. Senate, she was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Michigan's 8th congressional district from 1997 to 2001...
, as well as history enthusiast and iconic Congressman John Dingell
John Dingell
John David Dingell, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1955 . He is a member of the Democratic Party...
. The site is only the fourth such listing in the United States National Park System. It is the sixth park in Michigan listed on the National Park Service, which includes Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale National Park is a U.S. National Park in the state of Michigan. Isle Royale, the largest island in Lake Superior, is over 45 miles in length and 9 miles wide at its widest point. The park is made of Isle Royale itself and approximately 400 smaller islands, along with any submerged...
, Keweenaw National Historical Park
Keweenaw National Historical Park
Keweenaw National Historical Park is a unit of the U.S. National Park Service. Established in 1992, the park celebrates the life and history of the Keweenaw Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan...
, Father Marquette National Memorial
Father Marquette National Memorial
Father Marquette National Memorial pays tribute to the life and work of Jacques Marquette, French priest and explorer. The memorial is located in Straits State Park near St. Ignace in the modern-day U.S. state of Michigan, where he founded a Jesuit mission in 1671 and was buried in 1678...
, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a U.S. National Lakeshore on the shore of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, United States. It extends for 42 miles along the shore and covers...
, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a United States National Lakeshore located along the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan in Leelanau County and Benzie County....
.
The park is still being developed to meet the standards necessary of the National Park Service, and the elements of the park depend largely on the amount of funding. According to the National Park Traveler, the construction of and promotion of a national park typically takes eight years, which includes a variety of obstacles, such as land acquisition, funding, a management plan, and tourism facilities. However, since the county has already preserved and managed the battlefield site, this process took considerably less time. While locals are enthusiastic to have a close area dedicated to the National Park System, the battlefield site is not expected to produce a noticeable economic impact. Projected attendance to the park upon its completion has been estimated to range from only 20,000–25,000 visitors a year. The other three National Battlefield Parks, which all relate to the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, receive considerably more visitors, based on attendance figures from 2005: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Kennesaw Battlefield Park, at 905 Kennesaw Mountain Drive between Marietta and Kennesaw, Georgia, preserves a Civil War battleground of the Atlanta Campaign, and also contains Kennesaw Mountain...
(1,005,510), Manassas National Battlefield Park
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Manassas National Battlefield Park, located north of Manassas, in Prince William County, Virginia preserves the site of two major American Civil War battles: the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861, and the Second Battle of Bull Run which was fought between August 28 and August 30, 1862...
(715,622), and Richmond National Battlefield Park
Richmond National Battlefield Park
Richmond National Battlefield Park commemorates more than 30 American Civil War sites around Richmond, Virginia, which served as the capital of the Confederate States of America for the majority of the war...
(68,438).
The battlefield park has also recently been connected to the nearby Sterling State Park
Sterling State Park
Sterling State Park in the United States is the only Michigan state park located on the shores of Lake Erie. The park encompasses 2.03 mi² just northeast of Monroe, Michigan in Frenchtown Charter Township in Monroe County. The park was established in 1920. The park sits just north of where the...
through a newly completed nature trail, which may bring in more visitors to both parks. The president of the Monroe County Historical Society, William Braunlich, is hopeful that sufficient funding will be provided in time for the park’s completion before the bicentennial celebration of the Battle of Frenchtown, which will take place on January 22, 2013. The site began operations as a National Park unit on October 22, 2010.
External link
- River Raisin National Battlefield Park, National Park Service