Bolivar in Tuscarawas County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Barracks
Fort Laurens
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 15, 2015
1. 4 Barracks Marker
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.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology
this page online
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 40° 38.394′ N, 81° 27.299′ W. Marker was in Bolivar, Ohio, in Tuscarawas County. It could be reached from Fort Laurens Road Northwest, on the right when traveling north. Located on the grounds of the museum. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 11067 Fort Laurens Rd NW, Bolivar OH 44612, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Amish Country. It was also in the American Midwest, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 15, 2015
2. 4 Barracks Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Northwest Bastion (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Excavation (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Blockhouse (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Introduction (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Hospital (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Cemetery (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Tomb (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Canal (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); Interstate 77 (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . Fort Laurens - Ohio History Connection. (Submitted on December 21, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 295 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on October 13, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 21, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
