The Ohio Star LbNA # 53882
|Owner||the quiltette |
|Placed Date||Jun 6 2010|
Fort Amanda was one of a series of forts extending north from Piqua to Ft. Meigs (present day Perrysburg), built by order of General William Henry Harrison. These forts helped supply the army protecting the Northwest from British invasion during the war of 1812. Ft. Amanda's construction began in the fall of 1812 under the direction of Lt. Col. Robert Poague who named it Amanda in honor of his daughter. The original fort is believed to have measured 160 feet by 160 feet. Located at the head of navigation of the Auglaize River, it had a small landing with a boat yard and served as a supply post and hospital. Soldiers built riverboats or pirogues to transport soldiers and supplies. Approximately 75 pirogues were built during the winter of 1812-1813.
FORT AMANDA STATE MEMORIAL
Although Ft. Amanda saw no fighting during the war, it served as an important link in this supply line. On December 24, 1814, the United States and Britain signed the treaty of Ghent, which ended the war. By early 1815 the fort was abandoned and eventually taken over by local settlers. In the cemetery near the fort are 75 headstones dedicated to the memory of unknown American soldiers of the war of 1812. Some speculate these mark the graves of soldiers who were casualties of wounds or disease.
The original fort is no longer standing but a granite monument was built in 1915 at the site of the original fort. The monument as well as the cemetery can be viewed during daylight hours. Ft. Amanda State Memorial is more than an historic site. It is home to a rich variety of plants and animals. Trails lead through wooded ravines, down to the river, or out to the monument.
Fort Amanda State Memorial is owned by the Ohio Historical Society and operated and maintained by the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District.
The Ohio Star Box is located in Ft. Amanda Memorial State Park, located in Auglaize County. To find the park; From Ft. Amanda Rd. Follow State Rt. 198 South. The park is located on the left side of the road about ½ mile after you turn onto Deep Cut Rd. Park in the parking lot and exit your car. Walk along the gravel path through the cemetery following the signs showing the way to the monument. You will pass a small memorial stone on the right that lists all the soldiers that served at Ft. Amanda. Continue on a short distance to where the gravel road meets the dirt path. Turn right onto the path and walk until you see a wooden bridge. At this point in the trail you have the option to turn left and descend a wooden stairway down to the Auglaize River. Or to find the Ohio Star, go straight across the bridge and follow the blacktop path to the monument. Directly to the right of the monment you will see a tree, in the hidy hole at the bottom you will find what you are seeking.