Marietta in Washington County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Pioneer Marietta
circa 1792
Built in the fall of 1785, Fort Harmar was occupied by the First American Regiment under the command of Major John Doughty, who named the fort for his commanding officer, General Josiah Harmar. The protective presence of this fort was one of deciding factors leading to the Ohio Company's choice of location for their new settlement.
Overhanging branches of huge trees obscured the mouth of the Muskingum River on the morning of April 7, 1788, when Rufus Putnam and a vanguard of pioneers arrived to establish the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory. Having missed the intended landing point, the men towed their river-craft back up into the Muskingum where they came ashore near this site shortly after noon. About 70 Indians, led by the Delaware Chief, Captain Pipe, waited to welcome them.
The men of the Ohio Company pitched tents and built temporary dwellings at this location, and almost immediately a "business district" began to develop at the point where the rivers met. By 1791, there were about 20 families living here, and the settlement included the first tavern/hotel, first store, first United States Post Office, as well as the first rental property available in the territory. Since they were located directly across the river from Fort Harmar, the pioneers did not think it necessary to encircle the settlement with a stockade; however, at the start of the Indian Wars in 1791, stout pickets were erected on the unprotected sides, and it became known as "The Picketed Point."
This fortification was built in the summer of 1788 to protect the settlers in case of Indian attack. Facing the Muskingum River about a mile from the Ohio, the enclosure was 180 feet square with block houses at the corners where armed sentries stood guard day and night during the Indian wars of 1791-1794. The fort served as headquarters for the territorial government, and the first Civil Court in the Northwest Territory was established here. The name, "Campus Martius", comes from a Latin phrase meaning "field of war."
In 1770, the flood opposite the mouth of the Muskingum River was the Commonwealth of Virginia. Here Samuel Tomlinson claimed 400 acres by hacking his initials on a beech tree to establish his "tomahawk claim." In the spring of 1787, his brother-in-law and sister, Isaac and Rebecca Tomlinson Williams, arrived to make a permanent settlement. In 1790, when late planting and early frost ruined the crops on the Ohio side of the river, the Williams settlement shared their better fortune, saving the Marietta settlers from famine.
Quadranaou is a rectangular Archaeological complex enclosing 50 acres, in which are several small mounds and a graded way, known as "Sacra Via" leading to the Muskingum River. These are believed to have been built by the Hopewell Indians, 100 BC - AD 600. To the southeast, a 27 acre square includes "Conus," the Great Mound, thought to be Adena in origin, placing its construction between 800 BC and AD 100.
Depending on its ownership at the time, Duvall's Island has carried the names Duvall, Kerr, Marietta, Meigs, Muskingum, and is presently known as Buckley's Island. During pioneer times, the famous ranger, hunter, and Indian scout, Hamilton Kerr, lived there with his family. His father, Matthew Kerr, was killed by Indians as he landed his canoe at the foot of the island June 16, 1791.
Erected 1990 by Marietta Kiwanis Club.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is April 7, 1795.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 24.617′ N, 81° 27.177′ W. Marker was in Marietta, Ohio, in Washington County. Marker was at the intersection of West Ohio Street and Post Street, on the left when traveling west on West Ohio Street. This historical marker is located in downtown Marietta, Ohio, very near where the Muskingum River empties into the Ohio River. The marker is located at the western end of a walkway that extends along the crest of the high banks overlooking the Ohio river and is situated in front of a small parking lot that extends along West Ohio Street, between Front Street to the east and Post Street to the west. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Marietta OH 45750, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Southern Boundary Picketed Point (within shouting distance of this marker); S. Durward Hoag (within shouting distance of this marker); Lafayette (within shouting distance of this marker); Shipbuilding (within shouting distance of this marker); Historical Flood Mark (within shouting distance of this marker); Bicentennial Plaza (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Public Landing (about 300 feet away); Marietta’s Historic Corner (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marietta.
Also see . . .
1. Marietta, Ohio. (Submitted on July 12, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
2. Marietta, Ohio. This link is published and made available by, "Ohio History Central," an online encyclopedia of Ohio History. (Submitted on July 12, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
3. Marietta Earthworks. This link is published and made available by, "Ohio History Central," an online encyclopedia of Ohio History. (Submitted on July 12, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
4. Ohio Company of Associates. This link is published and made available by, "Ohio History Central," an online encyclopedia of Ohio History. (Submitted on July 12, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
5. Fort Harmar. This link is published and made available by, "Ohio History Central," an online encyclopedia of Ohio History. (Submitted on July 12, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,323 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on March 13, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 12, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 4. submitted on May 5, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.