Bolivar in Tuscarawas County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Barracks
Fort Laurens
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, March 15, 2015
1. 4 Barracks Marker
Inscription.
Barracks. Fort Laurens. The archaeologists uncovered many clues to how the fort was constructed. It had palisaded walls made of unpeeled logs, 10 to 12 inches in diameter, some of which were split in half. They were placed against the inner wall of a trench averaging 36 inches deep. Ditches surrounded both the outside and inside of the fort wall, where earth was "borrowed” to heap up against the stockade. On the outside the ditch prevented attackers from running unimpeded up to the fort wall or hiding out at the base of the wall where gunners could not safely fire down at them. On the inside, the dirt was used to provide a 'parapet' for the gunners to stand on and fire over the fort wall. The log buildings, some not completed until January 1779, featured floor joists laid directly on the ground. Some barracks even had chimneys. Officers and men lived apart, which was indicated by the differences in the quality of the refuse found near each. These artifacts can now be seen in the museum.
The archaeologists uncovered many clues to how the fort was constructed. It had palisaded walls made of unpeeled logs, 10 to 12 inches in diameter, some of which were split in half. They were placed against the inner wall of a trench averaging 36 inches deep. Ditches surrounded both the outside and inside of the fort wall, where earth was "borrowed” to heap up against the stockade. On the outside the ditch prevented attackers from running unimpeded up to the fort wall or hiding out at the base of the wall where gunners could not safely fire down at them. On the inside, the dirt was used to provide a 'parapet' for the gunners to stand on and fire over the fort wall. The log buildings, some not completed until January 1779, featured floor joists laid directly on the ground. Some barracks even had chimneys. Officers and men lived apart, which was indicated by the differences in the quality of the refuse found near each. These artifacts can now be seen in the museum.
Erected by Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 4.)
Location. 40° 38.394′ N, 81° 27.299′ W. Marker is in Bolivar, Ohio, in Tuscarawas County. Located on the grounds of the museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11067 Fort Laurens Rd NW, Bolivar OH 44612, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Northwest Bastion (a few steps from this marker); Excavation (a few steps from this marker); Blockhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Introduction (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Laurens (within shouting distance of this marker); Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Unknown Soldier (within shouting distance of this marker); Cemetery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bolivar.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 151 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 21, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
