Bolivar in Tuscarawas County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Blockhouse
Fort Laurens
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 15, 2015
1. Blockhouse Marker
This open space in the fort wall is the gate, as indicated by the mold of a massive anchoring post found by the archaeologists. Beside the gate was a two-story blockhouse that afforded a view of the surrounding countryside and was used as a safe haven by the soldiers. It was described by militiaman John Cuppy as "…about 20 feet square, which was directly to the right of the gate…, and formed a part of the outside…; about six feet above the ground, [it] was made a foot wider on the wall side, and made to over-jut, so if the Indians came up, the garrison could shoot down…directly upon the enemy below…, with a rude roof slanting within the fort."
Erected by Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 3.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 40° 38.403′ N, 81° 27.278′ W. Marker was in Bolivar, Ohio, in Tuscarawas County.
this page online
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 least 7 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Fort Laurens (about 300 feet away); Unknown Soldier (about 400 feet away); In Commemoration of Our Patriot Ancestors (about 400 feet away); Welcome to Ft. Laurens (about 400 feet away); Fort Laurens Continental Outpost of the Ohio Frontier / Survival on the Frontier
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 15, 2015
2. Blockhouse Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Barracks (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Northwest Bastion (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Excavation (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Introduction (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Hospital (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); Cemetery (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); Tomb (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); Interstate 77 (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); Canal (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.)
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 26, 2020
3. Sign at the entrance of Fort Laurens Historic Site
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 296 times since then and 33 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. 3. submitted on January 27, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
