The lives of Indian chiefs, French missionaries, British military leaders, and an American general are woven into the rich tapestry of Defiance history.
Between 1672 and 1712, French missionaries wandered among the Indian tribes who lived in the area. Later, the British sent envoys to the Indians in the Maumee Valley to incite them to harass U.S. settlers. In 1793, the greatest Council of all the Indian tribes in North America occurred at the long standing Indian trading center which the French called Grand Glaize. It was located at the confluence of the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers, site of the city Defiance. The chiefs of the Miamis, Shawnees, Wyandots, Senecas, Ottawas, Delawares, Kickapoos, Pottawatomies, Chippewas, Iroquois, and Mohawks were present at the Council.
Between 1672 and 1712, French missionaries wandered among the Indian tribes who lived in the area. Later, the British sent envoys to the Indians in the Maumee Valley to incite them to harass U.S. settlers. In 1793, the greatest Council of all the Indian tribes in North America occurred at the long standing Indian trading center which the French called Grand Glaize. It was located at the confluence of the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers, site of the city Defiance. The chiefs of the Miamis, Shawnees, Wyandots, Senecas, Ottawas, Delawares, Kickapoos, Pottawatomies, Chippewas, Iroquois, and Mohawks were present at the Council.
Defiance is named for Fort Defiance, constructed in 1794 by General “Mad” Anthony Wayne, who was sent to subdue the Indians and end British influence in the area. It was the strongest fortification he had built during his campaigns against the Indians. Wayne is reported to have said: “I defy the English, the Indians, and all the devils in Hell to take it.” To which General Scott replied, “Then call it Fort Defiance.”
Wayne went on to defeat the Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timbers and in 1796 Fort Defiance was abandoned. In the peace treaty of 1795, and a series of ensuing treaties, the Indians yielded their Ohio lands to settlement.
Wayne went on to defeat the Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timbers and in 1796 Fort Defiance was abandoned. In the peace treaty of 1795, and a series of ensuing treaties, the Indians yielded their Ohio lands to settlement.
From its earliest days Defiance has been a hub for the shipping and receiving of goods. Whether it was early supplies passing through Fort Winchester or goods being transferred on the Miami-Wabash or Erie canals that ran through the community, transportation has played a major role in our development. In later years, the addition of several railways that traveled through Defiance, helped to facilitate the Industrial growth that continues to support the city today.
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The Defiance Development & Visitors Bureau (DDVB) applied for and received Main Street Designation in 2008 as a testament to the communities desire to preserve our rich history. Defiance was named one of Ohio's Best Hometowns for 2014-2015 as a result of the cohesive efforts of the DDVB, Defiance Economic Development, & the Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce. This honor resulted in Defiance appearing in Ohio magazine.
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Organizations including, but not limited to, Historic Homes, Defiance Genealogy, Defiance Historical Society and the office of the City Historian all work towards the common goal of retaining our history for future generations.
