Fort Steuben

Fort Steuben is a reconstructed military complex perched on a hill near the Ohio River, featuring a square layout with blockhouses positioned at each corner. The structures include barracks, storage buildings, and other structures typical of a frontier fort from the late 1700s.

The fort was established in 1787 under Major John Hamtramck to protect surveyors mapping the Northwest Territory. A fire destroyed it in 1790, but visitors today can explore the site as a modern reconstruction.

The name honors Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, George Washington's drill instructor, and exhibits show how soldiers lived and worked here during the early settlement period. The rooms give visitors a sense of garrison daily life and their role protecting survey teams in this frontier region.

The grounds are easy to walk through, with paths connecting the various buildings and exhibition spaces. Plan for a few hours to see the overall complex and view the exhibits thoroughly.

Visitors can experience special programs showing how soldiers trained and followed orders using authentic military methods from that era. These live demonstrations help bring to life what frontier soldiering was actually like over two centuries ago.

Location: Ohio

Website: https://oldfortsteuben.net

GPS coordinates: 40.35793,-80.61331

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:09