Fort Harmar

Fort Harmar
Part of the Northwest Territory of the United States
Marietta, Ohio

Fort Harmar near Marietta
Built 1785
Built by John Doughty
Commanders Josiah Harmar, John Doughty, David Ziegler
Occupants United States troops
Battles/wars Northwest Indian War
Events Treaty of Fort Harmar
Fort Harmar
Location of Fort Harmar in Ohio
Location: Marietta, Ohio
Governing body: Private
Part of: Harmar Historic District (#74001645)
Designated CP: 1974

Fort Harmar was an early United States frontier military fort, built in pentagonal shape during 1785 at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers, on the west side of the mouth of the Muskingum River. It was built under the orders of Josiah Harmar and took his name. The original intention of the fort was to protect Indians, i.e., to prevent pioneer squatters from settling in the land to the northwest of Ohio River, until later agreed by treaties. “The position was judiciously chosen, as it commanded not only the mouth of the Muskingum, but swept the waters of the Ohio, from a curve in the river for a considerable distance both above and below the fort.”[1] It is notable for the 1789 Treaty of Fort Harmar, between the United States and several Native American tribes.

The presence of Fort Harmar was influential in the founding of Marietta, Ohio in 1788 across the Muskingum. During the one-year anniversary celebration of the founding of Marietta, the distinguished physician Solomon Drowne orated:

But to whom is this settlement more indebted than to the generous chieftain [Josiah Harmar] and other worthy officers of yonder fortress, distinguished by the name of Harmer [Fort Harmar]. With what cheerfulness and cordiality have ye ever entered into every measure promotive of the company's interest. Important is the station ye fill in every respect, and not least in this, that you seem reserved to exhibit to mankind a specimen of that military splendor, which ornamented the arms of America, and would do honor to the troops of any potentate on earth.[2]

While the fort is no longer existent, that area of Marietta is still referred to as Harmar, and the historic value had been registered as the Harmar Historic District.

Contents

Nearby forts

The Campus Martius fortification of the Marietta settlement was built on the east side of the Muskingum and upriver from Fort Harmar during 1788, and fully completed in 1791 at the start of the Northwest Indian War. The Picketed Point fortification of Marietta was built directly across the Muskingum from Fort Harmar, on the east side of the mouth, during 1791.

See also

References

  1. ^ Hildreth, Pioneer History, 317.
  2. ^ Hildreth, Pioneer History, 521.

Bibliography