Fort Piqua

General "Mad" Anthony Wayne during his successful incursions into Ohio, attacking Indians and burning their villages, built many forts along his victorious path. Fort Piqua, located at upper Piqua on the west bank of the Miami River, was such a fort. Built by Wayne in 1795, it served primarily as a depot for storing supplies. It was comprised of many buildings and stood on the same site as the Johnston Farm. Col. Johnston talks about the fort in one of his letters. He talks of the 40 to 50 acres the military had under cultivation and the secure fence. After the army left, the blockhouse and all the buildings remained intact. The new owner eventually dismantled most of the buildings for fuel.

Sutton tells us, "The portage from Fort Piqua to Fort Loramie, fourteen miles, thence to St. Mary’s, twelve miles, was all the land carriage from the Ohio River to Lake Erie. Loaded boats frequently ascended to Fort Loramie, the loading taken out and hauled to St. Mary’s, the boats also moved on wheels, again loaded, and launched for Fort Wayne, Defiance, and Lake Erie." In 1794, two boats, loaded with freight and guarded by an officer and twenty three men, were attacked on the Great Miami River by Indians and massacred close to Fort Piqua.   Captain Vischer, the commander of the fort, heard the shooting but was unable to respond due to the lack of soldiers under his command. The men died, but the fort was saved.

General "Mad" Anthony Wayne

'Indian' segment written in December, 1997 by David Lodge

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