After Congress appropriated monies to build a series of forts stretching from the east coast to the Minnesota Territory, construction started on Fort Wayne at Detroit under the supervision of Lieutenant Montgomery C. Meigs. He bought riverfront property farm property three miles south of Detroit and work began in 1843 and was completed by 1851 at the cost of $150,000.
The new fort was named after American Revolution hero General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, who had taken possession of Detroit from the British in 11796.
Before any cannons could be installed at the new fort, the United States and Britain worked out their differences and the fort went unused except for a single watchmen. With the coming of the Civil War, there was fear of an attack from Canada by the British and the fort was occupied by Union forces. It served as a mustering in area for Michigan regiments as well as an area for wounded soldiers to recover.
During the Spanish-American War, troops left for service overseas from there.
--Brock-Perry
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