Fort Sandoské facts for kids

Fort Sandoské was a French military fort built around 1750. It was located on what is now called the Marblehead Peninsula in Ohio. This spot was on the northern side of Sandusky Bay, close to a traditional portage route to Lake Erie.

A Brief History

English Traders First

Before the French built Fort Sandoské, the same spot was used as a trading post. Around 1745, fur traders from Pennsylvania, who were considered "English," set up shop there. They had permission from a Wyandot chief named Nicolas Orontony.

The French Arrive

Around 1748 or 1749, French soldiers arrived. They came from Fort Detroit. These soldiers forced the English traders to leave. Then, the French took control of the site. It's important to know that this specific location was never a British military fort. Some historians used to think it was, but that wasn't true.

Not to Be Confused!

There was a lot of confusion about the different trading posts and forts around Sandusky Bay. The English Fort Sandusky was built later, in 1761. It was also in a different spot, southeast of the bay. That English fort was destroyed in 1763 during Pontiac's War. The town of Venice, Ohio later grew up near the site of the French Fort Sandoské.

Why Was It Built?

The French used Fort Sandoské for a short time. Its main purpose was to help with supplies and communication. It connected Fort Niagara and Fort Detroit. These were two other important French forts.

Abandoned Fort

Fort Sandoské was abandoned by 1754. A French lieutenant and engineer named Gaspard-Joseph Chaussegros de Léry passed through the area that year. He was leading forces to help reinforce Fort Detroit. He drew a sketch of the fort's remains. This drawing is part of his campaign journal. These journals are now kept at Laval University in Quebec.