Ohio's War of 1812 Forts-- Part 1: The Land and Rivers Were Different Back Then

Since I have been writing about Fort Stephenson and Meigs in Ohio during the war, I came across this on all of the state's forts during the war.

From the Touring Ohio site "Ohio's forts during the War of 1812."

When the war broke out and after the surrender of Hull at Detroit, Ohio's new commander, William Henry Harrison began preparing for the expected invasion of northwest Ohio by the British

At that time, northwest Ohio was often called the Black swamp.  It was a mucky ware-logged area that made travel by land very difficult.  Harrison decided to build a number of forts and supply depots along the rivers.

The rivers of northwestern Ohio back then were different than they are today.  They were mostly slow-moving, deep water rivers that retained their levels most of the year. thanks to the swampy land supplying them with water.

Even during hard rains the rivers would remain relatively level since the water had to flow through the swamps before entering the river.  Later, as the land was cleared and turned into farmland, came the wide fluctuations in water level we have today.

--Brock-Perry