In the early 1800’s, Fort Jefferson was laid out for town lots which included the future park area. It was good ground for housing because there were no trees as a result of being cleared for fort purposes. The local boys appropriated the fort area as a playground and named it the “Old War Ground.” This historic ground was about to be obliterated and forgotten when the Greenville Historical Society decided to erect a permanent monument on the fort site. Joe Patty and Fred Coppock donated lots 48 and 49 on the exact site of the fort.
During the summer of 1907, the Greenville Historical Society gathered funds to erect an obelisk made of granite fieldstone and placed a bronze tablet on it. On Oct. 24, 1907, it was dedicated with an impressive ceremony, with a large attendance and noted speakers. Note: The fort was named Jefferson for then Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson on Oct. 23, 1791, and General St. Clair marched his army north on Oct. 24th the next day. Maybe in the future, Oct 23rd should be named “Fort Jefferson Day.”
On Jan. 28th, 1927, the Greenville Historical Society purchased additional land to expand the site to over 4 acres. It again expanded in 1929 when additional land was purchased with House Bill No. 143 to expand the park on the East side. At this time the Greenville Historical Society ceded all their land to the State of Ohio, so Fort Jefferson Park could become a State Memorial Park. The park was now six acres in size.
In 1940, the Ohio State Highway Department developed the site as a roadside park. The park was well-received and heavily used into the 1960s. Eventually, because of management costs and dwindling usage, rural Ohio state roadside park areas were abandoned. The Ohio Historical Society was given the management of Ft. Jefferson. Gradually, Ft. Jefferson Park deteriorated, and was used less.
Fort Jefferson became the “Forgotten Fort.” Few remembered why the fort was built and its importance to founding of today’s military structure. Few remembered the men and women who served and died defending the fort. Fort Jefferson was the deepest fort in Indian territory for two years before Anthony Wayne built Greene Ville. Fort Jefferson played part in four completely separate United States Armies between 1790-96.
In 2018, a grassroots effort of local people led by Joe Beatty held meetings and vowed to upgrade and restore the facilities at Fort Jefferson. Beatty had a vision of providing an interpretive center containing an audio-visual library. A place where research and studies could be done. Several of Beatty’s ancestors served at Ft. Jefferson and died during the St. Clair campaign. He wanted to revive that legacy for his grandchildren to be proud of. The group called themselves “Friends of Fort Jefferson.” They organized and obtained 501-C-3 tax-free status to receive tax-deductible donations.
Fortune smiled on the Friends of Fort Jefferson and it has now become a ground swell. They found mutual support with the Dark County Parks. Another similar Ohio group “Waynes Legion Research Group” volunteered their support. Reenactors of the 1st American Regiment not only helped with research, but wanted to help restore Fort Jefferson, and donated money to support efforts.
The Daughters of American Revolution offered support and started researching the soldiers that died at Ft. Jefferson. Local news organizations helped by running stories and updates. Greenville Library is digitizing our stories, the Early Bird runs stories, and now My County Link is going to carry a column on our efforts. We have over 50 paying memberships and many personal donations coming our way.
A 17-acre farm adjacent to the south side of the Fort was purchased with a loan from the Greenville National Bank. It was a part of the old fort grounds. About one-third of St. Clair’s army camped on that ground while the fort was being built. A hay-cutting party was attacked, and 12 were killed on this property. We are trying to figure out how to retire that loan.