Fort Finney (Ohio) facts for kids

Fort Finney was a fort built in October 1785. It was located near the mouth of the Great Miami River, close to where the city of Cincinnati is today. The fort was named after Major Walter Finney, who was in charge of building it.

The spot for Fort Finney was chosen because it was halfway between two important early settlements on the Ohio River: Falls of the Ohio and Limestone (Maysville).

Why Was Fort Finney Built?

Before the fort was built, George Washington had asked Generals George Rogers Clark, Richard Butler, and Samuel Parsons to create a peace treaty with the Shawnee people. A fort was needed to help keep the area safe and secure the land for the United States.

So, in the fall of 1785, a group of soldiers led by Major Finney was sent from Fort Pitt to build Fort Finney.

What Happened to Fort Finney?

Fort Finney was left empty sometime before 1788. Today, the land where the fort once stood is part of the Miami Fort Power Station.

The Treaty of Fort Finney

The Treaty of Fort Finney is also known as the Treaty at the Mouth of the Great Miami. It was signed on January 31, 1786, at Fort Finney. This treaty was an agreement between the United States and leaders of the Shawnee people. It happened after the American Revolutionary War.

In this treaty, the Shawnee leaders agreed to give parts of the Ohio Country to the United States. However, some Shawnee leaders were not happy about signing it. Later, other Shawnee leaders said they would not follow the treaty. This disagreement soon led to a conflict called the Northwest Indian War.

Images for kids

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  George Rogers Clark, one of the treaty signers.

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  Map showing where the Shawnee people lived around 1755.