Last updated: March 23, 2021
Place
Historic Fort Steuben
Quick Facts
Location:
Steubenville, OH
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
12 listed
Benches/Seating, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Information - Park Newspaper Available, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto, Parking - Boat Trailer, Picnic Table, Restroom, Scenic View/Photo Spot
Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums
Visitor Centers (shown in orange), High Potential Historic Sites (shown in black), and Pivotal Places (shown in green) along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
Fort Steuben began its original construction in 1786, and completed construction in 1787. The First American Regiment built the fort with the purpose of protecting surveyors who were tasked with mapping the United States’ Northwestern territory to prepare it for settlement. Fort Steuben was abandoned in 1787 and later eradicated by a fire in 1790. The town of Steubenville was established after the abandonment of the fort.
Lewis and Clark of the Corps of Discovery passed through the city of Steubenville as the expedition made their initial progress westward. On September 6th, 1803, as the group traveled down the Ohio River, Lewis wrote in his journal that they had reached the city of, as he spelled it, “Stewbenville.” He described it as a “small well built thriving place” despite the fact that the city had only been “five yers since it was wilderness.” No note was made of Fort Steuben because, by 1803, the fort had long since ceased to be.
Today, Historic Fort Steuben features attractions such as an herb garden, an archaeology site, and the visitor’s center. The Exhibit Hall located inside the visitor’s center is home to a variety of exhibits that center around Ohio’s history. Fort Steuben provides the opportunity to explore the reconstructed Fort, and self-guided tours are available to visitors.
For more information, call 740-283-1787 or email info@oldfortsteuben.com. Their website can be found at https://www.oldfortsteuben.com/index.php.