Battle of Tippecanoe marks 200 years

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Chuck Grimes will be among the re-enactors participating in the Tippecanoe 200th Anniversary Commemoration this weekend. | Photo provided

Two hundred years ago, a historic battle took place in the wilderness that was then the Indiana Territory.

An alliance of American Indian tribes defended its traditional land Nov. 7, 1811, against Army forces protecting the growing number of settlers expanding ever westward. The Battle of Tippecanoe is an event many historians say was a prelude to the War of 1812.

“Every year, there is a small memorial to this battle, then, about every 50 years, there is a big event,” said coordinator Leslie Martin Conwell.

This is the year for the big event, the Battle of Tippecanoe 200th Anniversary Commemoration, which highlights those on both sides of the conflict and honors those who died.

Programs will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Central time) Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Tippecanoe Battlefield and Historic Prophetstown. Both are just north of Lafayette.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for ages 4 to 16. Food will be sold by local not-for-profit groups.

“We’re trying to bring out all aspects of the history of the site — the Native American, military and civilian sides; the academic perspectives, and the natural history,” Martin Conwell said. “At the same time, we need to be good stewards of the battlefield, since this is also a burial ground, and minimize our impacts there.”

Events at the Tippecanoe Battlefield will include an 1811-era military encampment with more than 300 re-enactors, demonstrations of military drills and lifestyles, battlefield tours and a series of academic talks covering the battle’s place in history, military dress of the time, and historic information learned from trees on the battlefield.

Another subject will be the New Madrid earthquakes of late 1811 and early 1812, which some believe were among several events predicted by Tecumseh’s brother, who came to be known as The Prophet.

Events will be offered simultaneously at the nearby Historic Prophetstown. Free shuttles will run between the two sites.

“Prophetstown’s village was founded by Tecumseh and his brother,” Martin Conwell said. “The village site is now part of Prophetstown State Park, and this is where the Native American- and civilian-focused activities will take place, including a Native American village, a Potawatomi group that is coming to share traditional dances, period crafters and gardeners, and a variety of academic talks.”

The talks at Prophetstown will include archeology of burials and the battlefield, American Indian traditions of preparing foods for winter, and the natural history before Prophetstown and the recently restored prairie there.

Children might also enjoy visiting the park’s restored 1920s farm, which is home to draft horses and many other farm animals.

It is suggested that visitors park at Prophetstown State Park and take a shuttle to the battlefield. Parking and shuttles are free.

Prophetstown State Park is in Battle Ground, about eight miles north of Lafayette. The park’s website warns that online mapping will lead to the wrong place, and suggests that visitors take Interstate 65 to Exit 178, then go south on Indiana 43. Turn left onto Burnett Road, then right at 9th Street. Turn left onto Swisher Road and proceed to the park gate.

For more information about the commemoration, visit the website www.tippecanoehistory.org.