Site Inspection / Field Trip Report

Fallen Timbers Battlefield, Fort Meigs, Fort Miamis

G. Michael Pratt, Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio 44883

The Fallen Timbers Battlefield

1. Resource Description:

A. Location:

The Fallen Timbers Battlefield lies within Monclova Township of Lucas County, Ohio, and within the 9th Congressional District.

B. Current Uses and Ownership:

At present a monument marking the battle is located on a small tract of land owned by the Ohio Historical Society, however, historic maps and accounts of the battle indicate that the actual field of battle encompasses a large area of developed and undeveloped lands which lie north and east of the existing park. The battle line area stretches through a few residential lots, across a U.S. Highway through a large area of wooded and agricultural lands and by partially abandoned railroad rights-of-way. Most of the forested and cultivated area is owned by the City of Toledo. There are four or five private residences within the battle line area.

C. Resource Type:

Fallen Timbers is a historical battlefield that has the potential to contain archaeological remains of the battle as well as graves of the combatants.

2. Resource Quality:

A. Current Status:

The Fallen Timbers Battle Site is a National Historic Landmark. The defeat of the Native American Confederacy in this battle resulted in the Greeneville Treaty that secured Ohio and the Northwest Territory for U.S. settlement. The battle led to British withdrawal from lands granted to the U.S. by the Treaty of Paris in 1783 and secured the current U.S./Canadian boundary. The Battle of Fallen Timbers is noted in most surveys of U.S. history and is generally regarded as the most significant U.S. military action in the period between the Revolution and the War of 1812.

B. Rarity:

The 1790-1795 "Indian Wars" period was characterized by at least four major engagements (Harmar's Defeat, St. Clair's Defeat, Battle of Fort Recovery, Battle of Fallen Timbers). None of these sites are within the National Park System, nor have any of them been preserved or protected as historic sites. All but the Fallen Timbers battlefield lie within urban areas and have been severely disturbed by modern activity.

C. Diversity:

The majority of the battle line area consists of mature forest or agricultural lands. Therefore along with the historic site, the area has some archaeological potential. In addition to access by road, the abandoned rail right-of-way has recreational hiking and biking potential.

D. Public Use/Interpretive Potential:

The Fallen Timbers Battlefield lies on the edge of the Toledo metropolitan area and is within one hour's drive of Detroit, 2.5 hr. of Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton. The site is located at the intersection of I-475 and U.S. 24 and is accessible from U.S. 24, the "Anthony Wayne Parkway." At present the entire Maumee River corridor is under study within the River Heritage Corridor Program. Completion of the Maumee River Corridor Project should increase public use of the river corridor in general. Since Fallen Timbers, Fort Meigs and Fort Miamis are considered the most historically significant sites in the valley, the potential for public use of this site is high. Fallen Timbers was neither a long nor complicated battle, and the majority of the area retains forest and prairie plant communities that resemble the original vegetation pattern of the area. As the most accessible and open of the three sites under consideration as a unit, the Fallen Timbers area is the most likely location for presenting the history of the Fallen Timbers and Fort Meigs campaigns and may serve as a starting point for visits to the other two sites.

E. Special Initiatives and Considerations:

The "Indian Wars" of the 1790s are of special importance to Native Americans. The contest for the Northwest Territory represents the zenith of Native American power in efforts to stem the loss of their lands to the U.S. Under the leadership of the Miami Chief Little Turtle, a confederacy of tribes including the Miami, Shawnee, Delaware, Wyandot, Mingo, Chippewa and Ottawa twice defeated and nearly destroyed the military forces of the United States. Wayne's advance from Greeneville was intended to be the last attempt to gain control of the disputed lands. The campaign also represents the end of the British-Native American alliance formed in 1775 at the onset of the American Revolution. Almost immediately following the British failure to use the guns and garrison of Fort Miamis in their support, Native Americans opened peace negotiations with Wayne. The Treaty of Greeneville, negotiated as a result of the battle, ceded strategic areas throughout the Old Northwest to the U.S. and virtually guaranteed eventual U.S. domination over the Native American tribes living there.

3. Resource Integrity/Risks

A. Potential for Impacts:

Due to public perceptions that the battle took place in the flood plain below the existing monument, the actual battlesite is in immediate risk of development for commercial usage. The City of Toledo bought the property for development and has entertained proposals for development of an industrial park, malls, and a golf course.

B. Obstacles:

Since this property is slated for development, cost of acquisition may be an obstacle. The nature of the site (a battlefield without earthworks and with little relief) probably requires more than "self-interpretation" facilities. However, interpretive efforts at Fallen Timbers should also include the other two sites, therefore reducing their development and operational expenses.

Continue to Fort Miamis site inspection.

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