Maumee, Ohio, situated on the banks of the Maumee River, once a major transportation artery between West and East, was utilized by Native Americans, French, British, and, lastly, Americans.
In 1794, it was the scene of the decisive Battle of Fallen Timbers, securing the territory for the United States. During the War of 1812, it was again the site of major confrontations between Americans (Ft. Meigs), British, and Native Americans (Ft. Miami).
The American victory opened the area for settlement and Maumee became a major shipping and shipbuilding center during the 1820s to the 1850s. The coming of the Wabash Canal prompted the prediction that Maumee would become the "Greatest City in the West." Larger ships and the advent of the railroad soon dashed speculative hopes and Maumee settled into a sleepy village while still retaining many of the homes of early entrepreneurs, ordinary citizens, churches, and historical sites.
A twentieth century economic renaissance resulted in the thriving community. Today, residents take pride in their past, present, and future, and Maumee's designation by the National Civic League in 2006 as "All American City."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)
Marilyn Van Voorhis Wendler is the author of numerous articles and books on Ohio and local history, including three books on Maumee history and architecture. She formerly taught history at the University of Toledo, served as director curator of the Wolcott Heritage Center from 1990 to retirement in 2000, returned as curator of the Wolcott House Museum from 2004-2014, and is currently curator emerita. She is a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Historical Society and the Maumee Valley Historical Society.