The state of Ohio has a rich and interesting past that is frequently discussed in elementary school classrooms as well as college lecture halls. History lessons often bring up the fact that Ohio contains a number of historic landmarks where important events took place that helped to shape our country as a whole. In fact, what many New Philadelphia, Ohio and Canton, Ohio residents don’t realize is that the site of the state’s only Revolutionary War fort is located just a short distance away near Dover, Ohio. Fort Laurens played an important role in the Revolutionary War, and the 20 acres on which it stands have been turned into a memorial for the men and women who gave their lives to protect our country’s freedom. As a way to preserve the Ft. Laurens Museum and its surrounding territory, a non-profit organization called the Friends of Fort Laurens Foundation strives to promote awareness of this site, its impact on the state, and the importance of its reconstruction. By visiting this local museum, guests have the opportunity to contribute to the site’s restoration as well as learn about its background.

Those who do not remember Fort Laurens from past history lessons may be interested to learn that this Revolutionary War fort was an active military post from the fall of 1778 to late summer of 1779. As the British were pushing their Native American allies to attack settlements in the frontier region, General George Washington began to develop a plan in order to attack the British at Fort Detroit. Unfortunately, due to political pressure and a lack of supplies, the plan was changed to troops simply attacking Native American villages along the southwestern edge of Lake Erie.

In the fall of 1778, a band of 1,200 American troops and their Delaware Native American guides marched into the Ohio territory under the command of General Lachlan McIntosh. As the weather conditions worsened in the late fall, McIntosh stopped in the Tuscarawas Valley in order to build this Revolutionary War fort near the crossing of the Great Trail and the Tuscarawas River. Named in honor of the President of the Continental Congress, Henry Laurens, Fort Laurens was frequently attacked by the British and their Native American allies, resulting in the deaths of more than 20 American soldiers.

After Lt. Colonel Richard Campbell and his troops left Fort Laurens, this Revolutionary War fort began deteriorating. However, after “Captain” Christian L. Baatz made several visits to this historic landmark near Dover in the late 1800s, he developed an interest in restoring the site. As no action was taken by the Ohio Archaeologists and Historical Society (OAHS), Baatz decided to push for the site’s preservation. Along with his associates Ed N. Pease and William Lowe, Baatz sent petitions to the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). After years of waiting, legislation was finally passed and signed into a law by Governor Frank Wills in 1917.

While this historic landmark still stands thanks to contributions from supporters like Baatz, the site is a mere shadow of its former self. As the only Revolutionary War fort in the state of Ohio, Fort Laurens is a vital part of our history lessons. Without the work of non-profit organizations like the Friends of Fort Laurens, this site will continue to crumble, leaving no evidence of the role this fort played during America’s fight for freedom. And that’s why residents from New Philadelphia to Canton are not only encouraged to visit this local museum, but to contribute to the fort’s reconstruction as well.

To learn more about Ohio’s only Revolutionary War fort, visit www.friendsoffortlaurens.org. Not only can you receive your own history lesson on this historic landmark near Dover, Ohio, but you can also find additional information on the non-profit organization that is trying to save Fort Laurens and how you can contribute. If you’d like to visit Ft. Laurens Museum yourself, give this local museum a call at 330.874.2059 before taking the trip from your New Philadelphia, Ohio or Canton, Ohio home.

Ft. Laurens Museum
11064 Fort Laurens Rd NW
Bolivar, Ohio 44612
Ph: 330.874.2059

Friends of Fort Laurens Foundation
P.O. Box 272
Bolivar, Ohio 44612
Ph: 330.874.2059