Forts Webb, Wyllys and Meigs

In 1778, three forts were built by Connecticut regiments on the ridgeline east of Fort Putnam. They covered the low ground approach to Fort Arnold along the river, the ridgeline itself, and the low ground between Fort Putnam and ...

National Historic Landmark-Fort Meigs

National Historic Landmark- Fort Meigs

Built by Gen. William Henry Harrison during the War of 1812, the fort withstood a British siege the next year.

It was abandoned in 1815, after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent.

Courtesy National Park Service ...

Fort Meigs

1813

[Marker Front]:

Fort Meigs

1813

[Marker Reverse]:

In recognition of the services of the gallant men who defended their country on this spot.

Marker is at the intersection of West Indiana Avenue (State Road 65) and Fort Meigs Road, on the right when traveling south ...

Fort Meigs / Construction

Construction on Fort Meigs began in February 1813. Soldiers traveling to Fort Meigs passed through the Great Black Swamp, a nearly impenetrable morass 40 miles across and 120 miles wide south of the fort. The harsh winter weather and frontier ...

Fort Meigs / Introduction 4

To the Rapids

American soldiers commanded by William Henry Harrison had been following Winchester with supplies and garrison troops. After learning of the French Town defeat, they fell back to the Portage River in Ohio. On February 1, 1813, Harrison advanced ...

Fort Meigs / Introduction 3

Early Defeats

The war in the West had gone poorly for the United States. In August 1812, Gen. William Hull surrendered Detroit and his entire army to the British. On January 22, 1813, a second United States army led by James ...

Fort Meigs / Introduction 2

Was in the West

While Easterners were more concerned with diplomatic issues relating to Europe, the war west of the Appalachian Mountains took on a different character. The war in the West was a continuation of a long series of Indian ...

Fort Meigs / Introduction 1

The War of 1812

Fort Meigs was built during the early days of the War of 1812. The United States began the conflict by declaring war against England in June 1812 to redress insults suffered on the high seas including the ...