Old Bones

Bones of Mastodons were located 3 times in Auglaize County before 1880. The 1st skeleton was discovered in the fall of 1870 in Clay Township, about 2 miles east of St. Johns, when laborers were excavating a ditch through the Muchinippi swamp. The swamp's depth at this point was about 8' with the upper 1/3 being of peat moss and the rest of clay. The bones were in a posture that indicated the mastodon had become trapped in the swampy muck and died.The head and tusks were reaching upward and the right forefoot thrown forward as if trying to climb out of a hole. The body was estimated to be about 19' long from where the tusks entered the cranium to the base of the tail. The tusks were 12', and its height was estimated to be 13' - 14'. In December, 1874, also in Clay Township, the partial skeleton of a larger Mastodon was found by another team of ditch diggers. A 3rd Mastodon was found by Mr. Samuel Craig in January, 1878, while surveying in Washington Township.

Wapakoneta: what does it mean?

Like many common names in Ohio that have their roots tied to the Native Americans that once lived here, Wapakoneta is no different, although a bit more obscure. The rough translation means "clay river."

Auglaize has a French ancestry, that also means "clay water."

 

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WapakonetaWapakoneta

Wapakoneta is the County seat of Auglaize county has always been considered a place of honor. The Ottawa peoples considerate it so, but by 1798 the Shawnee had settled into the land. They were in the process of moving west from areas of North Carolina and Georgia. It was here, at the mouth of the Auglaize River, that Chiefs Blue Jacket and Black Hoof established themselves.

The Shawnee constructed a council house on the land which is today Wapakoneta. British agents used the location as a transport point for munitions arriving from Canada. These supplies were for distribution to Indian tribes fighting Americans throughout the Northwest Territory and Kentucky.

The council house saw historic chiefs like Blue Jacket and his son, James Blue Jacket, Black Hoof, Tecumseh, the Prophet, Peter Cornstalk, Little Turtle, Little Snake and Captain Logan come together and unite in the common cause of the destruction of the Americans.

WapakonetaAfter the Battle of Fallen Timbers and the signing of the Green Ville Treaty many of the tribes began to dissolve and move westward. The final Shawnee left the area after the Treaty with Shawnee on August 8, 1831.

The railroads brought commerce to the region and since the city was on the natural pathway from Detroit to Cincinnati, it became a hub for both industry and agriculture. Today Wapakoneta has the distinction of being the hometown of Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon.

Driving through the city you will be reminded of that 1969 moon landing with avenues and businesses like Apollo Drive, Astro Bowling Lanes and Apollo Travel. Wapakoneta, like its famous son, is friendly, quiet and unassuming.