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The Wolcott House
The Foot of the Rapids (Maumee) of the Maumee River was
an important transshipment point serving Indian, French,
English and American traders throughout the 19th
century. The Battle of Fallen Timbers (Maumee) in 1795
secured the Northwest Territory for the settlement and a
lively lake trade developed in the years following the War
of 1812.
A proposed canal to connect Lake Erie with Ft. Wayne
stimulated speculative interest and attracted Eastern
entrepreneurs. Among the earliest emigrants was James
Wolcott of Connecticut. Wolcott traveled to Missouri, where
he met and married Mary Wells. Mary Wells Wolcott was the a
daughter of William Wells and his wife Sweet Breeze, and a
granddaughter of the great Miami Chief, Little Turtle.
William Wells was kidnapped by Indians near his Kentucky
home, was adopted by the Miami and fought alongside the
Indians during the Indian Wars, 1790-1794. He later went
over to the Americans to serve with General Anthony Wayne.
He was present at Wayne's victory at the Battle of Fallen
Timbers in 1794 and served as the interpreter for the Miami
at the Treaty of Greenville in 1795. Wells was killed during
the Ft. Dearborn massacre in 1812.
Reports of the growing commercial opportunities at the
Foot of the Rapids promoted James and Mary to travel to the
Maumee in 1826. They purchased 300 acres for $1.25 an acre
in 1827 and began construction of their handsome home. The
house is a blend of federal and classic architecture.
Wolcott built wharves and warehouses on the river just below
his home and constructed two steamships -- the General
Harrison and the James Wolcott -- to transport his
merchandise. By 1837, Wolcott's retail and wholesale
businesses were booming and his fortune increased with the
completion of the Wabash and Erie Canals.
James and Mary Wolcott had five sons and a daughter.
Their home passed through three generations to Wolcott's
great-granddaughter, Rilla Hull, who passed away in 1957.
She requested the home be preserved as a museum for local
history.
The Log House
This cozy cabin, built c. 1850, has housed a succession
of Maumee families. It was originally located on the banks
of the Miami-Wabash Canal (Anthony Wayne Trial) and was
moved to this property in 1962. It is typical of the
many log houses still in use throughout Ohio in the late
nineteenth century.
Depot
The 1888 depot was moved from the center of Maumee to
this site in 1971. It was a frantic hub of activity when
serving as the passenger and freight station for the Clover Leaf
Railroad. Construction is typical of the period.
The Gilbert-Flanigan Farmhouse
Gilbert-Flanigan Farmhouse was built by Jarvis Gilbert in
1841. It is an Ohio derivative of the traditional New
England saltbox house. The sloped roof, one and a half story
structure reflects Greek Revival architectural elements. A
wide frieze board runs under the roof, above the two
identical front doorways. One provides separate access to
the working area by family members going about everyday
tasks. The other opens into the parlor and was used
primarily by visitors. The Gilberts raised six children on
the outskirts of Maumee. Daniel Flanigan purchased the
property in 1871, and his granddaughter, Minnie Flanigan,
was the last inhabitant. After her death in 1965, the house
was moved to this site. Restoration began in 1977.
Monclova Country Church
The Monclova Country Church, built in 1901, was moved to
this site in 1985. Originally constructed to house the
United Brethren congregation, it served a rural population
for many years. Its Gothic architectural features were
common in the late Victorian period and have remained
unchanged over the years. It is available for weddings and
meetings, click here for rental
information.
Museum Store and Maumee Valley Historical
Society Office
The Frederick House, c.
1840, was originally a private residence in the center of
Maumee. It is a typical townhouse reflecting the Greek Revival
architecture that was so prevalent at that time in Northwest Ohio.
The building now houses the museum store, which carries a
full line of local history books and merchandise, cards, and
children's toys.
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