Port Huron in St. Clair County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Wilderness Outpost

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 15, 2022

1. Wilderness Outpost Marker

Inscription.

Fort Gratiot was built by the U.S. Army in 1814 to guard the strategic junction of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River. Troops stood ready to defend Michigan and the U.S. against British forces in Canada.

As settlement moved westward, the fort was a stopping point for soldiers and supplies headed for the frontier. During the Civil War, area soldiers prepared for battle here, but Fort Gratiot never suffered a hostile attack. In 1879 the American flag was lowered, and the fort was abandoned.

Line art of Fort Gratiot courtesy of Bruce Hawkins, Oakland University

Erected by Thomas Edison Depot Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Patriots & Patriotism • War of 1812 • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.

Location. 42° 59.913′ N, 82° 25.568′ W. Marker is in Port Huron, Michigan, in St. Clair County. Marker is at the intersection of Thomas Edison Parkway and the Bluewater Bridge to Sarnia (Interstate 69/94), on the right when traveling south on Thomas Edison Parkway. Marker is at the Thomas Edison Depot Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 510 Thomas Edison Parkway, Port Huron MI 48060, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker. Edison Homesite (here, next to this marker); Making Tracks (here, next to this marker); Underground Railroad (a few steps from this marker); All Aboard! (a few steps from this marker); Immigration (a few steps from this marker); Native Americans (within shouting distance of this marker); Ships on the St. Clair (within shouting distance of this marker); Tom Edison at Grand Trunk (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Huron.

Also see . . .
1. Jenks, "Fort Gratiot and Its Builder Gen. Charles Gratiot." Michigan History, Jan 1920,. (Submitted on August 6, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Thomas Edison Depot Museum, Port Huron MI. (Submitted on August 6, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2014

2. Wilderness Outpost Marker

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2014

3. Wilderness Outpost Marker

Nearest marker in photo

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 682 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 18, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2, 3. submitted on August 6, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.