Mell When is Fort Laurens grounds open in Ohio?
Grounds open daylight hours year-round. Grounds include location where Ohio’s only Revolutionary War fort stood, the Tomb of the Unknown Patriot of the American Revolution, and access to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Zoar Village Explore a one-of-a-kind village, home from 18…
Is the tomb of the Unknown Patriot at Fort Laurens?
Also on site is the Tomb of the Unknown Patriot of the American Revolution, paying homage to the unknown defenders of the fort. The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, a recreational trail over 80 miles long, goes through the site of Fort Laurens.
What was the purpose of Fort Laurens in Ohio?
The fort was to serve three purposes. First, the Americans hoped to use Fort Laurens as a base to attack the British garrison located at Detroit. Second, it would hopefully deter American Indians loyal to the British from conducting raids against American settlers in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
How many soldiers were killed at Fort Laurens?
In total, 21 soldiers lost their lives at Fort Laurens before it was abandoned in 1779. Later, part of the fort was demolished during the building of the Ohio and Erie Canal. Currently none of the original fort remains above ground, but the outline of the fort is visible.
Grounds open daylight hours year-round. Grounds include location where Ohio’s only Revolutionary War fort stood, the Tomb of the Unknown Patriot of the American Revolution, and access to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Zoar Village Explore a one-of-a-kind village, home from 18…
Is there a tomb of the Unknown Patriot at Fort Laurens?
A small museum pays tribute to the “frontier soldier” through video and artifacts excavated onsite. Memorializing all unknown casualties of the Revolution, Fort Laurens’ Tomb of the Unknown Patriot is the final resting place of one of the fort’s soldiers who are unable to be identified.
The fort was to serve three purposes. First, the Americans hoped to use Fort Laurens as a base to attack the British garrison located at Detroit. Second, it would hopefully deter American Indians loyal to the British from conducting raids against American settlers in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
From November 1778 to August 1779, there were many twists and turns to the story of Fort Laurens. Twenty one soldiers perished before the fort was abandoned. Today’s visitors can walk the grounds and see the fort’s original outline.