Cruising through the village of Sackets Harbor you will get a glimpse of early American history.

"You'll see buildings now filled with wonderful eateries that are historic and they go back to the 1800's when this village was being settled," said Sackets Harbor Mayor Molly Reilly.

Sackets Harbor was founded in 1801 by New York City native, Augustus Sackett. The village started out with embargo and trade on the harbor, but it would soon be most famously known for the War of 1812. 

"As the war broke out the army, the navy, the marines, all selected Sackets Harbor as being the headquarters. So during the war of 1812, it was a very important location," said Connie Barone, Sackets Harbor Battlefield site manager.

This battlefield marks the spot where thousands of soldiers fought and died to protect the Northern Harbor.

"We have the stage and the footprint for that battle. It was the naval forces in this area that really supplied all of the sips that would be so critical to defending the Northern coast, not only in Lake Ontario but all of the great lakes," Reilly said.

Military history can be found throughout the village - extending to the Madison Barracks - and the barracks is important for the war of 1812 because the soldiers living quarters existed there, and also chloroform was invented right on this land. 

"Madison Barracks was an important location for American ship building in the war of 1812, and continued to be important to our American forces through World War II and eve to World War II."

The appreciation of boating and the water continue to be a mainstay in the village, and will be for years to come.