Fallen Timbers Battlefield Now Open

Toledo Local Features  |  By Michael Pierce  |  10/26/2015

The Battle of Fallen Timbers was the final struggle between the United States and Native American tribes for control of the Northwest Territory. Taking place in 1794, the US, under the direction of General Anthony Wayne, defeated the native tribes and secured much of what we know of today as the “Midwest” into US possession. The ramifications of this historic event were felt on a global scale, as Great Britain had a minor stake in the battle.  

For Toledoans, the 220 year old battle site sits right in our own backyard, and is now officially a part of the Toledo Metroparks. “We purchased it about 15 years ago, but it was bought in two pieces - in 2000 and 2001. The project has been in the making since that time”, says Scott Carpenter, director of public relations for the Metroparks.  

Located on Jerome Road in Maumee, near the intersection of US 23 and the Anthony Wayne Trail, the Fallen Timbers Battlefield consists of about a mile and a half looped trail that sits on about 200 acres of ground.

The project would have likely happened much sooner, however “It was put on the back burner for many years due to the difficult economic times in the late 2000’s”, Carpenter explains. Over the last few years they were finally able to make some much needed improvements to the site - including adding the trail, a bridge, and a lot of interpretive signs along the pathway - so that people can learn about the battle while they visit the new park. 

There is also a newly restored visitors center at the park. According to Carpenter, “The building was once a home that we bought in addition to the open property. We also bought several residences along Jerome road, and what we did was convert one of those houses into a visitor center. You wouldn’t know it’s a house to look at it today.”

Interestingly, the ground where the new park sits was not always where people considered the battle to have taken place. Back in the 90’s, Dr. Michael Pratt, professor of archaeology at Heidelberg University, along with several volunteers, got permission from the state to explore this area. To the surprise of many, Dr. Pratt and his crew found spent bullets and bayonets that confirmed that this is the exact location of the battle. It was previously thought that the battle took place much closer to the Maumee river. 

Are the artifacts on display at the new park? Unfortunately, Carpenter tells us that “We don’t really have a place to display them right now, it’s all being kept for safe-keeping at Heidelberg University. But we do have photographs of some of the artifacts incorporated into the signs on the trail. The artifacts definitely confirm that this was the site of the battle.”

Regardless, it’s definitely a victory for Metroparks and Toledoans that we now have a new park to visit, along with a clearer picture of the history of this area.

“This is the realization of a dream for a lot of people who work really hard to preserve the battlefield and make sure that it didn’t get developed, to get congress to name it as a national historic site, to get Metroparks to buy it, and then finally to get it open to the public. It means a lot to many people that it’s finally going to open”, says Carpenter.