Two markers acknowledging the last tribal nation removed from Ohio are coming to Greater Cincinnati.
Rebecca Wingo, the director of public history at the University of Cincinnati, said the Wyandot tribal nation was removed in 1843, marching from Upper Sandusky to Cincinnati, where they boarded steamboats to head to Kansas Territory.
"It was a huge procession," she said, "664 people, a couple hundred wagons, a couple hundred horses."
Markers commemorate Wyandot Removal Trail
Wingo and her graduate students have worked with Wyandotte Nation – its current name – to create 15 historical markers to commemorate the Wyandot Removal Trail.
Two new markers will be placed on Indigenous People's Day: one in Lebanon and one in North Bend.
Lebanon, North Bend to get markers
The Lebanon marker will note that hundreds of people came to
watch along the removal trail as the Wyandot tribal nation proceeded.
Wingo said there was a mix of emotion among the spectators who also poked, prodded and stole from tribal members as they proceeded. Some spectators were eager to get newly vacated land while others were sad to see Ohio's last tribal nation go.
The North Bend marker commemorates a moment of silence the Wyandots held as they passed the tomb of William Henry Harrison. Principal Chief Henry Jacquis asked the steamboat captain to cut the engines so the tribal nation could pay tribute to the general who many had fought with in the War of 1812, Wingo said.
If you go
There will be dedication ceremonies for both markers on Indigenous People's Day on Monday, Oct. 12.
- The Lebanon ceremony will be at 10 a.m. in Cedar City Park at 200 S. Broadway St.
- The North Bend ceremony will be at 1:30 p.m. in the William Henry Harrison Riverfront Park at 5 Harbor Ave. A representative from Ohio History Connection and representatives of Wyandotte Nation will attend.
Regional politics reporter Erin Glynn can be reached at eglynn@enquirer.com, @ee_glynn on X and @eringlynn on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Markers in Greater Cincinnati to be dedicated on Indigenous People's Day
