Fort Miami (Indiana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Miamia |
|
|---|---|
| Fort Wayne | |
| Type | Fort |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | New France |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1715 |
| In use | 1715-1760 |
| Battles/wars | |
 Location in Indiana
|
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| Location | Fort Wayne, Indiana |
| Area | 23.75 acres (9.61 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 10000944 |
| Added to NRHP | November 26, 2010 |
Fort Miami, also called Fort St. Philippe or Fort des Miamis, was an important French fort. It was actually a pair of forts built with strong wooden fences, known as palisades. These forts were located in a large village called Kekionga.
Kekionga was a village of the Miami Indian tribe. It was built where the St. Joseph River and St. Marys River join together. This meeting point forms the Maumee River in what is now northeastern Indiana, close to the Ohio border.
Contents
Why Fort Miami Was Built
In 1715, the French set up a trading post in Kekionga. This was the main village of the Miami people. The French wanted to trade with the Native Americans.
British traders were moving closer to the area. The Miami people did not want to leave their village. So, the French Governor, Philippe de Rigaud Vaudreuil, decided to build a strong fort. This fort would help protect the important trade routes of New France. The first Fort Miami was built in 1722.
Life and Destruction of the First Fort
The first Fort Miami was a very successful place for trading goods. It stayed busy until 1747. At that time, warriors from the Huron tribe attacked it. These warriors were allied with the English. Their chief was named Nicholas.
The fort was not well-guarded. The commander, Ensign Douville, and most of his soldiers were away. They were at another fort called Fort Detroit. The Huron warriors attacked the fort, took its supplies, and then burned it down.
The Second Fort Miami and Its Challenges
In the summer of 1749, a group of French soldiers and Native Americans rebuilt the fort. Captain Pierre Blainville led this group. This second fort was stronger and lasted longer.
It survived the French and Indian War. However, it was attacked in 1752. During this attack, two French soldiers were caught outside the fort. They were killed.
Changing Hands: French to British Control
In November 1760, the French and Indian War was ending. The French soldiers at Fort Miami officially gave up the fort. They surrendered it to Ensign Holmes, who was from the Kingdom of Great Britain.
But the British did not control the fort for long. In 1763, during Pontiac's Rebellion, Native American tribes attacked many British forts. They also attacked Fort Miami. The fort was destroyed by the Native Americans.
Fort Miami in the American Wars
The British later rebuilt the town around the fort. The trading post became successful again. In 1780, a French cavalry officer named Augustin de La Balme attacked it. He had come to the new United States of America to help in the American Revolutionary War.
His group raided the fort's supplies. But soon, the Miami Chief Little Turtle defeated them. The stolen goods were returned. The Native American groups in Kekionga stayed loyal to their British allies. This was true even after the area was given to the United States after the war.
Because of this, Kekionga became a target for American armies. This led to several important Native American victories. These battles are now known as the Northwest Indian War. One famous battle, Hardin's Defeat in 1790, happened very close to the fort.
The End of Fort Miami and the Rise of Fort Wayne
The Northwest Indian War ended with the Battle of Fallen Timbers. In this battle, General Anthony Wayne led the Americans to victory.
After this, a new fort was built in the same location. General Wayne's forces moved into this new fort in September and October of 1794. This new fort was named Fort Wayne. This fort gave its name to the settlement. It eventually grew into the modern city of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
