Greenville
Before it was the city of Greenville it was Fort Greene Ville. Built in 1793 by General Anthony Wayne to house the army during the long frontier winter. It was the largest log fortification ever built and was named for the American patriot Nathaniel Greene.
The fort was located on 55 acres of land and was able to support some 2000 American troops. Fort Greene Ville would be the location of the signing of two American treaties. The Greenville Treaty signed in August of 1795 and the final Indian peace treaty signed with future President William Henry Harrison in 1814.
Upon entering the city you are greeted with flags and markers announcing this to be The Treaty City and the home of Fort Greenville.
This small Ohio town was the home of Annie Oakley, Lowell Thomas, Lieutenant Commander Zachariah Lansdowne, pilot of the ill-fated Shenandoah Airship, and Norman Vincent Peale. The Garst Museum reflects on their lives and the contributions this community has had, not only on the state but, also America.
City Park is large greenspace and with 7 ponds and trails to explore. The park also is home to swans, ducks, hungry squirrels and surprisingly, peacocks.
Summer activities include the Annie Oakley Festival, Steam Threshers Reunion and the county fair. Fall and Winter presents the Famous World 100 race at Elora Speedway, the Autumn Farm Fast and the lighted horse drawn carriage parade.
Greenville has over 20 antique shops in and around the city enticing any collector to make a stop in this historic Ohio city.
Greenville Ohio is also home to world famous KitchenAid stand mixers and Bear's Mill, one of only 50 water powered mills left operating in the country.
Colonel William Darke
Greenville is the county seat of Dark County. The county was named for Colonel William Darke who fought in the American Revolution and was present at Yorktown to see Cornwallis surrender.
During the disastrous battle of St. Clairs Defeat in November 1791, Colonel Dark was in charge of the left flank and rallied the troops into making 2 bayonet charges against the Indian lines. The first was beaten back, but the second charge was successful and nearly 300 of the soldiers were able to escape the deadly trap, making their way back to the safety of Fort Jefferson.
Colonel Darke lost his son, Captain Joseph Darke, during one of those charges and is remembered at the battle monument in Fort Recovery Ohio.
Tecumseh Point
Fort Greenville was abandoned in 1796. It became a source of supplies attracting scavengers through-out the territory. It also attracted Tecumseh and his brother the Prophet. They had not signed theTreaty of Greenville and in fact did not consider themselves bound by it.
Returning in 1805 to the site of the treaty, the 2 brothers defiantly built a new village upon the site. Tecumseh grew stronger and with his brother providing spiritual assistance, the area became a magnet for those wishing to continue the fight against the Americans.
Today Tecumseh Point is a small peaceful park with historic markers reminding us of its turbulent history.
