230th Anniversary of the Treaty of Greenville Ville

On August 3, 1795, the Treaty of Greene Ville was signed in what is now Greenville, Ohio, marking a pivotal moment in American history. This treaty formally ended the Northwest Indian War, a conflict between the Northwestern Indian Confederacy and the United States over control of the Northwest Territory. The treaty negotiations took place at the newly built fort called Greene Ville, one of the largest wooden stockade forts ever constructed with over 50 acres of enclosed land. General Anthony "Mad Anthony” Wayne and leaders from tribes including the Shawnee, Delaware, Wyandot, Miami, and others were present for the signing.

The path to the Treaty of Greene Ville was forged through years of bitter conflict. Following the American Revolution, settlers flooded into the Ohio Country, triggering violent resistance from Native nations determined to defend their homelands. Early U.S. military campaigns met with disastrous defeats. One of them is St. Clair’s Defeat in 1791, an event which is still the deadliest loss the U.S. Army has ever suffered at the hands of Native American forces. In response, President Washington appointed General Wayne to build a professional army and establish a stable presence in the area.

Wayne’s victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794 ultimately forced Native leaders to negotiate peace terms. Following the battle, the Treaty of Greene Ville opened up most of present-day Ohio to colonization while recognizing limited lands reserved for Native tribes. While it brought a temporary peace to the region, the treaty also marked a turning point in the displacement of Indigenous peoples from the Northwest Territory.

To learn more about the history of Fort Greene Ville and the people who shaped its story, visitors are encouraged to explore the Crossroads of Destiny wing at the Garst Museum. This wing highlights the fort's construction, the events that led to the treaty, and the legacy of those who lived through one of the most consequential chapters in American frontier history.