Fort Defiance, Military fort in Ohio, United States
Fort Defiance sits where the Auglaize and Maumee rivers meet, with earthen walls and defensive positions dating to 1794. The grounds today show the fort's layout through preserved embankments and cleared areas that trace the original military design.
General Anthony Wayne built this fort in 1794 during the Northwest Indian War as a base against allied tribal forces. A year later, it served as a launching point for Wayne's major victory at Fallen Timbers.
The site shows how settlers and Native peoples clashed over the same river lands, with this location marking the collision of two competing ways of life. Visitors today can feel this history by walking where a military outpost was built deep in contested territory.
The grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset and free to visit. Wear sturdy shoes since the terrain is uneven in places, and read the interpretation signs scattered throughout to understand the fort's layout and purpose.
A Kentucky militia leader named Charles Scott gave the fort its name by publicly declaring defiance against British forces, tribal nations, and any other opponent. This bold name became a rallying cry for American military action in the region.
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