NORTHWEST THEATER CONTINUED

Prophet’s Town

In 1808, Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa, also known as the Prophet, reclaimed a previously destroyed Indian village, envisioning it as the capital of a confederacy of Native American tribes. Threatened by Tecumseh’s ideas, the militancy of his followers, and the growing population of what came to be known as Prophet’s Town, white settlers in the area called for help. The governor of the Indiana Territory, William Henry Harrison, eventually marched on Prophet’s Town late in 1811 and destroyed it following the Battle of Tippecanoe. Take I-65 to SR 43, turn south on Burnett Rd. Turn right at the T intersection, then left on Swisher Road, and continue on Swisher Road for approximately two miles to Prophetstown State Park. Historic Prophetstown is located inside the park on the right.

http://www.prophetstown.org/ 

River Raisin Battlefield Park

The five-day battle along the River Raisin proved a major victory for Britain and Tecumseh’s new Native American alliance. It severely disrupted the American strategy causing General William Henry Harrison to put his invasion plans on hold for close to a year. Now part of the National Park system the River Raisin Battlefield Museum and Visitors Center are located off East Elm Avenue in Monroe, Michigan. From I-75, take the Elm Avenue exit heading east.

http://www.riverraisinbattlefield.org/ 

Fort St. Joseph

When the United States took control of Fort Mackinac in 1796, the British built Fort St. Joseph on an island to the north and east near the mouth of the St. Mary’s River. During the opening weeks of the War of 1812, the British used Fort St. Joseph as a base for the successful attack on Fort Mackinac. Once they had seized Fort Mackinac, they then abandoned Fort St. Joseph. Parks Canada preserves the remains of Fort St. Joseph as a historic site. A visitor center provides a wealth of information on the history of this former British military post. It can be reached from the mainland via the Highway 17 causeway.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/stjoseph/index.aspx

Thames Battlefield (Tecumseh Memorial)

Following the loss of the British fleet at the Battle of Lake Erie in September 1813, General Henry Proctor retreated eastward from Amherstburg with fewer than 1,000 regulars and militia and about 500 Indians under Tecumseh. William Henry Harrison’s pursuing 3500-man army caught up with Proctor and defeated him near the present day town of Thamesville. Tecumseh was killed in the battle while making a last stand with his loyal warriors. A memorial park and monument, both dedicated to Tecumseh, are located off of Longwoods Road about 2.5 miles (4 km) east of Thamesville.

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM4XHM_Tecumseh_Monument_Thamesville_Ontario

http://www.soto.on.ca/shakespearean_theatre_and_lake_erie_shore/thamesville.html 

Tippecanoe Battlefield

Indiana Territorial Governor William Henry Harrison picked a time when tribal confederacy leader Tecumseh was away to march on his capital at Prophet’s Town. On the night of November 6, 1811, warriors led by Tecumseh’s brother Tenskwatawa attacked the American camp. Harrison’s men had expected trouble and slept beside their weapons. Although casualties were heavy on both sides, the Americans were able to withstand the assault and later burned Prophet’s Town. The park includes an 85-foot obelisk, a highly informative museum, and scenic trails interpreting what is known today as the Battle of Tippecanoe. The park is located seven miles north of Lafayette, at the intersection of Railroad and Tippecanoe Streets, just off the St. Rd. 43 exit of I-65 at 200 Battle Ground Avenue.

http://www.tcha.mus.in.us/battlefield.htm