Fort Harmar

Fort Harmar was a military installation located where the Muskingum River meets the Ohio River, built with a five-sided timber structure and walls roughly 14 feet (4 meters) tall. The layout allowed control over both waterways and provided oversight of river commerce in this strategic area.

The fort was established in 1785 under Colonel Josiah Harmar's command as a military outpost to control settlement and assert American authority in the region. It became a key site in the early stages of the nation's expansion westward.

The fort served as a meeting place where the United States government negotiated treaties with Native American nations during the early years of the nation. Today, visitors can sense how this location represented a moment of dialogue between different peoples.

The site is located along the riverside and is fairly accessible, though it offers little shelter from sun or rain. Visitors should dress appropriately for outdoor conditions and wear sturdy shoes since the ground can be uneven and muddy depending on recent weather.

Two officers stationed here, Major Ebenezer Denny and Joseph Buell, kept detailed journals that recorded the everyday routines and events at the fort over four years. These firsthand accounts offer rare glimpses into what daily military life looked like on the frontier during this period.

Location: Ohio

Inception: 1785

GPS coordinates: 39.40983,-81.45770

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:06