Fort Saint Clair
The OES visited Fort Saint Clair on July 1, 2001. Located about a mile outside of Eaton, Fort Saint Clair was established in 1792 to protect the area's early pioneers against the threat of Indian raids. It served as an important garrison and supply depot between Fort Washington and Fort Jefferson. Future President William Henry Harrison, who was serving in the Army at the time, helped erect the fort. On November 6, 1792, two hundred Indian warriors led by Little Turtle attacked one hundred mounted Kentucky riflemen, who had camped outside the fort. Six of those men died in the battle. Both the battlefield and the men's graves are included in the photos below. Fort St. Clair was also a major supporting post in 1794, when General "Mad" Anthony Wayne finally defeated the Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timbers.
The area is now a park that was established in 1923 to preserve and commemorate the old fort. Since 1987, the grounds have been used during winter as a Santa Land, where visitors drive through to view Christmas lights and decorations. Fort St. Clair is also home to the Whispering Oak Tree, which is over 200 years old. According to legend, you can hear the tree whisper under the right conditions. Only a few remnants of the original fort remain. Most of the structures pictured here were built when the site became a park. Make sure to check out the Fort Saint Clair Museum for some historical displays. Note that the OES is not affiliated with the park. Please visit the City of Eaton's website for the park schedule.
Thanks to Corrine for taking us to Fort Saint Clair.
Location Information: Public Park
Fort Saint Clair is located on Camden Road in Eaton; Preble County.
The grounds of Fort St. Clair now serve as a park.
This block-style building looked like it served as some sort of lodge today.
This building looked like it was a shelter house.
This cabin dated back to the 1700s.
A large stone fireplace for gatherings at the park. We're unsure it there was once a building here.
We were told this pole was part of the original fort.
This was the battlefield where Indians attacked in 1792.
The graves of six men who died during the Indian attack. One of their tombstones was missing.
An old cannon at the edge of the battlefield.
This was the field where Fort Saint Clair once stood.
A small covered bridge carried park visitors over a creek.
A memorial for Civil War veterans.
A memorial for Revolutionary War veterans.
A dedication monument from the American Legion.
The memorial for the Indian War that took place in this region in 1792.
This was the small monument next to the Whispering Oak.
This is the legendary Whispering Oak Tree that dates back to when the fort occupied the site.