Near Eaton in Preble County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Site of Fort St. Clair

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 15, 2009

1. Site of Fort St. Clair Marker

Inscription. Regular and militia troops under General James Wilkinson built this supply post and defensive fortification in March 1792 in preparation for Gen. “Mad Anthony” Wayne's campaign against the Indians of the Northwest Territory, following disastrous expeditions in 1790 and 1791. Built near a “fine spring gushing out of the bank,” the 120-foot square palisade fort had a four-sided bastion at each corner. Future U.S. president William Henry Harrison served in the detachment that built the fort. On November 6, 1792, Miami Chief Little Turtle and approximately 200 warriors attacked a force of Kentucky militia under Maj. John Adair camped outside the fort. Six Kentuckians and an unknown number of Indians died in the skirmish. The fallen soldiers were buried fifty paces west of the fort, beneath the “Whispering Oak.”

Erected 2001 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Fort St. Clair's Company of Wayne's Legion and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 2-68.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Military • Native Americans

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• Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #09 William Henry Harrison, and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1792.

Location. 39° 44.295′ N, 84° 39.268′ W. Marker is near Eaton, Ohio, in Preble County. Marker can be reached from Camden Road (Ohio Route 355). Marker is in Fort St. Clair Park, within the former boundary of the fort. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 395 Camden Road, Eaton OH 45320, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Physicians in the Indian Wars / Roster of Physicians in the Indian Wars (within shouting distance of this marker); Ortt Fort Saint Clair Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Whispering Oak (about 300 feet away); Preble County Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); Mary Lander (about 700 feet away); Ortt's Preble County Civil War Memorial (about 800 feet away); Preble County Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eaton.

Site of Fort St. Clair and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 15, 2009

2. Site of Fort St. Clair and Marker

Fence depicts where fort walls stood.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 15, 2009

3. Site of Fort St. Clair and Marker

Marker is to right rear of photo, between trees and behind fence.

Fort St. Clair Park Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 15, 2009

4. Fort St. Clair Park Entrance

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 20, 2010

5. Site of Fort St. Clair Marker

View to the east

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 20, 2010

6. Site of Fort St. Clair Marker

View to the northwest

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,315 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 18, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5, 6. submitted on January 14, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.