As a long-time National Park geek, I try to search out the closest National Park to our current location. This time it was the River Raisin National Battlefield. I had never heard of this particular National Park, but as I must collect them all (National Park Passport stamps), we spent our Sunday driving south through Detriot to seek out this battlefield.

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by an empty and closed visitor’s center. The location of the visitor’s center had changed, but there were a few informational signs about the battlefield. Apparently, this was one of the battles during the war of 1812 (well, 1813 in this case). Now just grassy fields, the battle took place in a town once located along the River Raisin. Curious to learn more and get my stamp, we continued down the road a bit to the new visitor’s center.

A much larger and newly remodeled building sits at 333 N. Dixie Hwy. Monroe, MI 48162. There you can view a replica of a part of the town where most of the action took place, hear an explanation of the large map painted on the floor, watch a twenty-five-minute movie ($3 per person or $5 per couple), and purchase unique trinkets from the gift shop. We engaged in all of the opportunities presented and learned about this battle that resulted in the famous battle cry, “Remember the Raisin!” Interestingly, the movies, park rangers, and plaques all stated how this saying was the most famous phrases and led to saying like Remember the Alamo and Remember Pearl Harbor. I had never heard of this saying or this battle.

The first battle at the River Raisin occurred on January 18, 1813. Other battles preceded this one, and you can read more on the River Raisin History and Culture section of the National Park website. Basically, the Americans were looking to take back Detroit when they learned that the settlement, Frenchtown, at the River Raisin, was under British control. Some of the Kentucky regimens were called up and took over the settlement. More troops were sent in, bringing the American troops to about 1,000. The British decided to partner with the Native confederation to take back Frenchtown.

Spoiler alert! The British and Native forces were successful. The British took their wounded and left the American wounded behind in the bitter cold. The next morning, Native Warriors descended upon the injured American and slaughtered them in the act of revenge. This event became known as the “River Raisin Massacre” and was used to rally against the British and Native forces. As American troops road off to later battles, they would say, “Remember the Raisin!”

Essentially the whole thing was just one act of revenge after another. I would encourage a visit to learn more about this moment in history and always Remember the Raisin!

Oh, by the way, The River Raisin got its name from the French settlers who saw both sides of the river bank covered in native grapevines and called it La Rivière aux Raisins. Raisin is the French word for grape.