Near McComb in Hancock County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
In the fall of 1821
In the fall of 1821 Robert McKinnis and his sons, Charles, James, Phillip, John, and his son-in-law Jacob Poe, traveled to Hancock County to establish the first settlement in the spring of 1822. Being amongst the first white settlers to arrive in the area, Robert was able to have the pick of the land. On December 10, 1821 he secured a deed for the property he wanted. The site was located along the Blanchard River in Section 7 of Liberty Township about six miles northwest of Findlay, Ohio.
It also just happened to be the location that was, until 1818, the site of a Wyandot Indian Village. They Wyandots left this portion of Ohio to the government in 1818. The site contained 12 cleared acres on the north bank of the Blanchard which the Wyandots had used for many years as a burial site. Even after Hancock County was formed in 1820, the Wyandot would come to the Cemetery to bury their dead and to visit. The area was very sacred to the Wyandots. The cleared 12-acre site, which also contained a plum orchard that was planted by the Wyandots later became known as "Indian Green".
This was no doubt the reason that Robert McKinnis chose this particular spot in the first place. Not only did he get a site that was on the river, but also 12 acres of cleared land and a bountiful plum orchard. He was very satisfied with the spot he picked and didn't mind the Wyandots, who would visit the property on a regular basis for many years to come.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is December 10, 1821.
Location. 41° 3.591′ N, 83° 45.85′ W. Marker is near McComb, Ohio, in Hancock County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 224, 0.6 miles west of Ohio Route 186, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Findlay OH 45840, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Indian Green / McKinnis-Litzenberg Farmstead (within shouting distance of this marker); Barn Again! (within shouting distance of this marker); Litzenberg Legacy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Indian Green Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Schwartz Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); McComb (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Village of McComb (approx. 3.4 miles away); St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McComb.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 446 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 26, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.