Ohio Company Land Office

The Ohio Company Land Office is a simple log cabin with a gabled roof, shuttered windows, and a central chimney, now housed within Campus Martius Museum. The small building served as the central location where surveyors and administrators documented and assigned land parcels to settlers.

The building was constructed in 1788 and relocated to its present site in 1791 to centralize the land surveying process. Under Rufus Putnam's direction, hundreds of thousands of acres were systematically mapped and distributed from this location.

The office marks the starting point of organized American settlement in the Northwest Territory, showing how early pioneers managed land distribution and planning. Visitors today see the modest space where decisions were made that shaped the region's future development and growth.

The building is located within the museum grounds and is only accessible as part of the museum visit, so plan your visit accordingly. The best time to explore is during regular museum hours when you can also see the surrounding historical exhibits and collections.

The cabin remains one of the oldest surviving structures from this founding period and offers rare insight into the practical requirements of early administration. Its simple construction reveals how limited resources were allocated to this important function.

Location: Marietta

Part of: Campus Martius Museum

GPS coordinates: 39.42132,-81.46153

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:41