Maumee in Lucas County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Site of Fort Miami
Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Trail
Image courtesy of the Historical Marker Database
1. The One-time Site of Fort Miami Marker
Site of Fort Miami
»»««
Erected 1680 - the oldest
fortified trading post in
the Mid-west. Here flew
the flags of France, 1680;
Great Britain, 1760; and
the United States, 1796.
Erected 1930 by Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commission. (Marker Number C.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1680.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 41° 34.327′ N, 83° 37.564′ W. Marker was in Maumee, Ohio, in Lucas County. Marker could be reached from the intersection of River Road and Michigan Avenue. This historical marker should be located where Michigan Avenue. dead ends into River Road, on the river side of River Road, in a small, Lucas County
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Old Fort, New Battle (a few steps from this marker); Running A Gauntlet (a few steps from this marker); A Shattered Truce (a few steps from this marker); The Formidable Fort Miamis (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 41st Regiment of Foot - War of 1812 / Private Patrick Russell (about 400 feet away); Fort Miamis (about 400 feet away); Fallen Timbers Battlefield and Fort Miamis National Historic Site (about 400 feet away); Letters From 1794 / A Strategic Location (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Maumee.
More about this marker. This historical marker is part of the Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Trail series (type C) which was put in place in 1930 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Ohio's Revolutionary War era Battle of Piqua, by the Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commission.
In order to accomplish this, in 1929 the state of Ohio created the Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commission, and then in 1930 this commission created 22 military trails, throughout western Ohio, between Cincinnati, Ohio on the state's southern border and Toledo, Ohio on the state's northern border. Each of these military trails represented the routes, or trails, used by military leaders during either the Revolutionary War, the Indian Wars of 1790 to 1795, or the War of 1812. Each of these military routes connected various related historical sites, that were marked with Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commission (type C) markers, along each of the military trails.
The routes of these military trails were in turn marked by type A and type B Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commission markers that served as directional (type B) and distance (type A) markers.
Originally, back in 1930, there were erected 70 some of these Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commission, type C, markers. To date, there are only 20 some of them that have been located and posted on the Historical Marker database. A number of them are presently missing, and presumed to be permanently lost, including this featured marker.
I do vaguely recall seeing this marker back in either the late 1970s or early 1980s, here at this site. What in particular I recall about seeing this marker was the claim in the text of the marker that the French had a fortified trading post at this site in 1680, which I was not aware of.
I have been unsuccessful in my efforts to track down the current whereabouts of this Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Trail marker. All that I know of for certain is that it is currently missing from the location where last I recall having seen it. However, I will add this, I am of the opinion that back in 1930, when all of the Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commission markers were erected, they were all situated along, and very near, the state or federal highways, so that they could be seen by the passing cars (back in 1930, the portion of River Road that runs past today's Fort Miamis Metropark, was US 25). Where I recall having seen this marker was near the end of the walking path, on the ridge overlooking the Maumee River, so it would have been relocated from its original location, nearer to the roadway (I do believe).
Also see . . .
1. Fort Miamis. Touring Ohio website entry (Submitted on July 10, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Trail System. A description of the Revolutionary Memorial Trail System developed by the state of Ohio in 1929 - 1930. (Submitted on September 7, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, September 5, 2014
2. Site of the Missing Fort Miami Marker
I believe that originally this historical marker was located along the park's walking pathway, just to the left of the three markers seen in the picture.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, September 3, 2014
3. Site of the Missing Fort Miami Marker
A distant view of the site of the missing historical marker, which would have been situated along the park's lone walking path, with a distant view of the fort's abandoned earthworks in the background.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, September 5, 2014
4. Site of the Missing Fort Miami Marker
A distant view of where the missing historical marker was located, looking east along the park's lone walking path from near the parking lot. Two Ohio Historical Markers are seen in the foreground.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, September 5, 2014
5. Fort Miamis Metro Park Sign
View of the Fort Miamis Metro Park sign, situated at the entrance to the park, where the missing historical marker was located.
Image courtesy of the MidPointe Library System (www.MidPointeLibrary.org)
6. Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Trail Map
A view of an original Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Trail Map, from 1930. For a better view double click on this picture.
Photographed By Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commission
7. Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commission Marker Types
View of the three types of markers used by the Ohio Revolutionary Memorial Commission. The marker on the left is a type A marker, the marker in the middle is a type C (just like our missing marker), and the marker on the right is a type B.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 493 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 7, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 7. submitted on April 20, 2016, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
