Historical Markers in
Defiance County, Ohio

1913 Flood 70 Vet Survivors of C.C.C. Memorial Abatis and Camp Anthony Wayne's Fort Defiance Bark Cabin Home of Coohcoohe Buffalo Were Recorded Here In 1718 Caboose 90950 Charles Elihu Slocum, M.D. Chief Pontiac Civil War Cannons Construction Of Fort Defiance Coohcooche Courthouse Clocktower Bell Cross Section of the Trench Daeida Hartell Wilcox Beveridge / Amelia Swilley Bingham Defiance County Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument Defiance County Veterans Memorial Defiance County War Memorial Flame Defiance County War Savings Quota Defiance Historic Sites Defiance Native Defiance Public Library Defiance Rotary Club 75th Anniversary Dey Bridge East Blockhouse Evansport Flood Poles Flood Poles Fort Defiance Fort Defiance Fort Defiance Flagstaff Fort Defiance, 1794 Fort Winchester Fort Winchester Fort Winchester Fort Winchester - Former Site Of North East Blockhouse Fort Winchester - Former Site Of North West Blockhouse Fort Winchester - Former Site Of South East Blockhouse Fort Winchester - Former Site Of South West Blockhouse Forth Ward Firehouse French Indian Apple Tree Frontier Fort 1794-1796 G.A.R. Soldiers Monument Geo. Ironside Graves of Soldiers Highland-South Richland Township Veterans Memorial Historic Defiance Hometown Heros Park Johnny Appleseed Johnson Memorial Library Kentucky & Ohio Soldiers Memorial Kieffer Log Cabin Land Office Building Last WWII Concentration Camp Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home Veterams Memorial Legion of Anthony Wayne Little Turtle (Me-she-kin-o-quah) Location Of The Bake Oven Location Of The Officers Quarters Location Of The Powder Magazine Location of The Village of Milburn Lock No. 13 & Independence Dam / Two Canals Miami & Erie Canal Lock No. 37 Mollasses Produced Since 1850's Mollasses Production Navy Armed Guard and Merchant Marine Memorial Ney Veterans Memorial Flagpole Ney Veterans Memorial Park North Blockhouse Original Site of St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Cemetery and Log Church Pontiac Birthplace Pontiac Park Reinforcement Work Riverside Cemetery Veterans Memorial Riverside Chapel Route and Camp's Sawmill Shanty Service Star Legion Veterans Memorial Shawnee Glen Sherwood Veterans Memorial Site of Lock No. 13 Site Of Mamie - Bessie Nagel Farm Site of Southerton Station South Blouckhouse Spemica Lawba–Johnny Logan St. Johns Lutheran Church St. Paul's Episcopal Church Tale of Ensign James Liggett / Major Adam Charles Muir, 41st Regiment of Foot The Alexander Sankey Latty House The Ansberry-Kettenring House The Charles C. Hoffman House The Charles Kettenring House The Charles Krotz House The Curtis Holgate House The Edwin Charles House The George Briggs House The Henry Seither - Todd Taylor House The Hornish Pike The Indian Wars The John L. Scott House The W. B. Daoust, Antoine Daoust-Solonab Villagomez House The Williams C. Holgate House Two Canals Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial VFW Veterans Memorial West Blockhouse William C. Holgate Park Winchester's Camp #2 / Preston Island Winchester's Camp No. 3/Fort Starvation / The Old Kentucky Burial Grounds You Are On The Buckeye Trail
Ohio was the site of a major oil boom in the late 19th century, with oil wells producing millions of barrels of oil per year. The town of Lima, Ohio, became known as the "little giant of the oil industry" because of the large number of oil companies headquartered there.
Ohio random facts
Defiance County, OH has a rich and diverse history that spans back to the early 1800s. The county was officially established on February 12, 1845, and was named after Fort Defiance, a military fort established during the Northwest Indian War. The county was originally part of the larger Williams County until it was split off and formed its own jurisdiction.

The area that is now Defiance County was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Shawnee, Miami, and Delaware. The arrival of European settlers led to conflicts between the Native Americans and the new settlers, resulting in the construction of Fort Defiance to provide protection for the settlers. The fort played a significant role during the War of 1812 and was later abandoned, but its legacy is preserved through a memorial park that stands in its place.

As the county developed, agriculture became a crucial part of the local economy. The fertile soil and favorable climate allowed for successful farming, with crops such as corn, wheat, and soybeans becoming staples in the region. Additionally, the county's location along the Maumee River played a vital role in transportation and trade, further boosting economic growth.

Defiance County has also been an industrial hub throughout its history. The discovery of natural gas reserves in the late 1800s led to a thriving oil and gas industry, attracting investors and workers from around the country. Other industries, such as manufacturing and healthcare, have also flourished, providing employment opportunities for the local population.

Today, Defiance County remains a vibrant community, focusing on preserving its historical roots while embracing modern advancements. With a mix of picturesque rural landscapes, thriving businesses, and a strong sense of community, Defiance County continues to evolve and thrive.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Defiance County, Ohio.

  • 1795 - The area that would eventually become Defiance County is ceded by the Native American tribes in the Treaty of Greenville.
  • 1805 - The county is established and named after Fort Defiance, a military fort built during the Northwest Indian War.
  • 1820 - The first courthouse is built in the county seat of Defiance.
  • 1836 - The Miami and Erie Canal is completed, which greatly boosts the local economy and leads to increased settlement.
  • 1851 - The town of Defiance is incorporated.
  • 1861-1865 - Many residents of Defiance County serve in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
  • 1872 - The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad completes a line through Defiance County, further enhancing transportation and trade.
  • 1898-1901 - Defiance County contributes soldiers to the Spanish-American War.
  • 1920s - The Great Depression leads to economic challenges for the county, but the construction of highways helps to spur growth.
  • 1940-1945 - Defiance County residents serve in World War II.
  • 1960s - The county experiences agricultural and industrial growth, thanks to advancements in technology and manufacturing.
  • 1990s - The area sees an expansion in retail and commercial development.