Whitefish Triangle

55 Dr., Hamilton Pl., Perry Ave.

Queens, 11378

This text is part of Parks’ Historical Signs Project and can be found posted within the park.

This triangle, located in the Queens neighborhood of Maspeth in the shadow of the Long Island Expressway, is named in honor of American naval hero, Captain Oliver Hazard Perry (1785-1819). In the famous Battle of Lake Erie, Oliver Hazard Perry became the first man in history to defeat an entire British naval squadron and triumphantly bring home every ship as a war prize.

A Rhode Islander, Perry entered the Navy at age 13 as a midshipman. In 1805, he was promoted to lieutenant and given command of a schooner. During the War of 1812, he took a post on Lake Ontario in anticipation of a British attack. When none occurred, he was transferred to Erie, Pennsylvania. There he was responsible for building up a fleet with the purpose of taking Lake Erie from British hands. By September 1813, Perry had trained and prepared his fleet, leading an attack on the British squadron.