Fort Recovery, Ohio is a quaint old village in West Central Ohio. It is the site of two of the largest Indian battles ever fought in the United States. In 1791, “St. Clair’s Defeat” against the Shawnee-led Native Americans was the worst massacre of the American army on American soil in the history of the United States. Over 900 soldiers died and 150 civilian camp followers suffered the same fate at the hands of nearly 1500 warriors.
The second battle, “Wayne’s Victory”, took place in 1794 at the newly built Fort Recovery located at the same location as the previous battle. However, this battle destroyed the largest Indian confederation ever organized and led to the American Indians relinquishing most of their land holdings in Ohio. Eventually this set in motion increased settlements and statehood for Ohio in 1803.
Check these items off your Fort Recovery Bucket List:
–Fort Recovery State Museum and the Blockhouse, Stockade, Franke Historical Walkway, Blacksmith Shop and VanTrees Park (the existing fort area and the surrounding park) and the Hein Amphitheater (On Sunday nights throughout the summer, concerts are held in the park)
–The Fort Recovery Visitor’s Center (a restored old-fashioned Shell gas station)
-The Walk-by Museum with changing exhibits
Historic Murals (The Wabash Battle of 1791 a watershed moment in American History)
–Red-Haired Nance Statue – last civilian survivor of St. Clair Battle. Fought with baby in arms wielding a frying pan
-Log Cabin (the original home of Joseph and Delores Eischen with displays from 1800 and 1900s)
-Pioneer Cemetery (In 1851, after some boys playing along the Wabash River found several bones here, the towns people realized the bones were from the soldiers killed in the battles. A proper burial followed. It is the oldest cemetery in the County.)
-Fort Recovery Monument (a 101 foot tall obelisk, burial site for the fallen soldiers of 1791)
-Eat at the Tin Cupboard.
-Play pool at the Hole in the Wall.
You can schedule a tour of the town here or take a virtual tour here .
More interesting history about Fort Recovery here (especially scroll down to the part about Roger Vanderburg who was trapped in a tree. Yikes!).
