Fort Loramie, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fort Loramie, Ohio
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Village
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St. Michael's Catholic Church, a community landmark
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Location of Fort Loramie, Ohio
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Location of Fort Loramie in Shelby County
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| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| County | Shelby |
| Founded | 1837 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.03 sq mi (2.67 km2) |
| • Land | 1.03 sq mi (2.67 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 953 ft (290 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,590 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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1,586 |
| • Density | 1,540.70/sq mi (595.14/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
45845
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| Area code(s) | 937, 326 |
| FIPS code | 39-27832 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2398903 |
| Website | http://www.fortloramie.com/ |
Fort Loramie is a small village in Shelby County, Ohio, United States. It is located along Loramie Creek, which flows into the Great Miami River. The village is about 42 miles north of Dayton. In 2020, about 1,590 people lived here. The village was founded in 1837. It is near the original spot of an old fort with the same name.
Contents
History of Fort Loramie
Early Trading Post and Conflict
Fort Loramie started as a fur trading post in 1769. It was built by Pierre-Louis de Lorimier, a French-Canadian fur trader. His name was later changed to Peter Loramie in English. The Shawnee people used this trading post. They used it as a place to plan attacks against Americans during the American Revolutionary War.
In November 1782, during a raid by George Rogers Clark, the trading post was attacked. A group of 150 men, led by Colonel Benjamin Logan, burned it down. Lorimier escaped and moved west. The site was empty for many years after that.
The Fort is Built
After the Battle of Fallen Timbers in August 1794, the Northwest Indian War ended. General "Mad" Anthony Wayne then ordered a fort to be built at this spot. It was meant to be a supply base for other forts like Fort Adams and Fort Defiance.
The fort was first a simple stockade. But General Wayne decided it needed stronger buildings. These included a blockhouse and storage areas. Construction finished in December 1795. The fort was located near a portage, which is a place where boats or goods are carried over land between two waterways. This portage was between the St. Mary's River and Loramie Creek. The fort was also an important point mentioned in the Treaty of Greenville in 1795.
Fort Loramie in Later Wars
During the War of 1812, Fort Loramie was still used as a supply depot. It helped provide supplies for forts in northern Ohio. It was also a stop for groups moving against the British in Michigan and Canada.
In 1815, the United States government sold the fort. A man named James Furrow bought it. He turned the buildings into a post office and a tavern. By 1820, this business closed. However, a small settlement had already grown around the area. Today, the original fort site is a farm. None of the old fort or trading post buildings remain.
Founding of the Village
A new town was planned nearby in 1837. Jonathan Counts surveyed the land. Lots were sold, and the town was first named Berlin. Many of the early settlers were from Germany. In 1911, the town's name was officially changed to Fort Loramie.
Between 1836 and 1841, the Miami and Erie Canal was built. It passed right through the town. Canal boats carried limestone for the foundation of St. Michael’s Church. German Catholic settlers started building this church in 1849. Before that, a log church building stood there from 1838. The church was rebuilt again in 1881.
In its early years, the settlement grew slowly. The first flour mill and a general store, Willman's, were built in 1858. Other early businesses included Bruckens and Vogelsang's Cafe.
The canal stopped working in 1909 because railroads became more popular. One important leftover from the canal is Loramie Lake. This lake was a reservoir used to keep the canal filled with water.
A large part of the town was destroyed during the Great Flood of 1913.
Geography
Fort Loramie is a small village. It has a total area of about 0.96 square miles (2.67 square kilometers). All of this area is land. The village is located about 953 feet (290 meters) above sea level.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 457 | — | |
| 1900 | 444 | −2.8% | |
| 1910 | 489 | 10.1% | |
| 1920 | 472 | −3.5% | |
| 1930 | 427 | −9.5% | |
| 1940 | 507 | 18.7% | |
| 1950 | 508 | 0.2% | |
| 1960 | 687 | 35.2% | |
| 1970 | 744 | 8.3% | |
| 1980 | 977 | 31.3% | |
| 1990 | 1,042 | 6.7% | |
| 2000 | 1,344 | 29.0% | |
| 2010 | 1,478 | 10.0% | |
| 2020 | 1,590 | 7.6% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 1,586 | 7.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
How Many People Live Here?
According to the census in 2010, there were 1,478 people living in Fort Loramie. These people made up 530 households. About 40.4% of these households had children under 18 living with them. Most households, about 65.8%, were married couples.
The average age of people in the village was 35 years old. About 31.1% of residents were under 18. About 14.6% were 65 years old or older. The village had slightly more females (51.0%) than males (49.0%).
Culture
Fort Loramie hosts a big annual festival in the summer. It's called the Country Concert. This three-day event brings thousands of people to the area. They come from all over the United States and Canada. The concert takes place at Hickory Hill Lake, just south of the village.
Fun Things to Do
Lake Loramie State Park is located just north of Fort Loramie. It's a great place for outdoor activities. The park has a large lake, covering 1,655 acres. There are also 407 acres of land. Visitors can enjoy fishing and boating on the lake.
Education
Fort Loramie has its own public schools. These include Fort Loramie High School and Fort Loramie Elementary. Students can also choose to attend the Upper Valley Career Center. This is a trade school located in Piqua, Ohio. It teaches students skills for different jobs.
The village also has a public library. It is a branch of the Shelby County Libraries.
Media
Fort Loramie is served by a local daily newspaper. This newspaper is called the Sidney Daily News. There are also a few weekly newspapers that cover the area.
Notable People
- Jared Hoying, a professional baseball player.
See also
In Spanish: Fort Loramie para niños
