Fort
Meigs, a sprawling log-and-earth fortification on the Maumee
river, became the focal point of the War of 1812. Here, on
May 9, 1813, the British suffered their first setback of the
Northwest Campaign when a detachment of American troops stood
fast against the combined forces of British and Canadian soldiers
and Tecumseh's warriors.
The fort reconstruction, begun by the Ohio Historical
Society in 1965, and re-done just lat year, re-creates the
stockade as it was during the first British siege of 1813.
The fort's seven blockhouses appear as they did then, with
walls two feet thick, four-inch-deep window and canon-port
shutters, and whitewashed interior walls. The walls are wooden
log pickets, set deep into earthen fortifications, with heavy
wooden gates set into openings in the earthworks.
Inside
the palisaded enclosure, the approximately 10 acres is divided
up into large and smaller areas by long, grass-covered 8 foot
high breastworks. These provide boundries, seating, privacy,
and even a prefect spot for a bearpit tourney! Outside the
fort, lies about 50 acres of lightly treed park where the Merchantown
and Heavy Weapons melee areas are, as well as the new Quiet
Family Camping area and parking space.
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