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HISTORY
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September 22nd, 2012 - 45th Annual Feast Of The Hunter's Moon
Tippecanoe is rich in American history. I'm sure many have heard about the Battle of Tippecanoe when studying American History in school. However, stepping back another 100 years and this land was the center of the vast hunting, fishing and trapping region of New France. In 1717, the governor of New France ordered an officer, 4 soldiers, a blacksmith and three others to construct a post near the Ouia Indian Village on the Wabash River. The post was located about 5 miles southwest of Lafayette, In. The post remained active until the late 1780's and was finally burned in 1791. Between 1720 and 1760, the post steadily grew. French "Voyageurs" would arrive in canoes from Quebec every fall to trade with the Wea Indians. This was generally a tranquil period until the Seven Years War (French Indian War) when the British took control of the Fort in 1761. In 1763, the French took control once again when the local Indian's, growing increasingly angry that the British were not as giving as the French in trading, simply walked into the Fort and took the British as prisoners. In 1778 the British used the Fort to prepare for their invasion of Vincennes, where they later were defeated by the American's under the command of George Rogers Clark. As hostilities continued to increase and Indians began using the Fort as a staging ground for raids on white settlers, George Washington ordered that the Fort be destroyed in 1791. Today, the site is used to celebrate the rich history of the area including Indian, French, British, and early American life in the 1700's. Authentic re-enactment of the foods, clothing, weapons, housing, and trade goods bring the visitor back to this period of time.
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November 7th, 2011 - Battle Of Tippecanoe 200 Year Anniversary
On November 7th, 2011, the Battle of Tippecanoe celebrated its 200 year anniversary. The site of the battle, just north of Lafayette, IN, was brought back in time as reenactors filled the site with their encampment just as it would have appeared so many years ago. Residing on what is now both a monument and a burial ground were 19th century soldiers representing approximately 1,000 men led by William Henry Harrison. Vendors selling items from the time period lined the field near the museum. Heading a mile east towards the Wabash River you will find Prophetstown. At this location the Confederacy of North American Indians were camped with approximately 600 warriors. Reenactments were also setup at this location. This is the first year that I recall any type of reenactment at the Battle of Tippecanoe. I have talked to people who were around for the 150 year anniversary and they tell me it was a big deal with actual battle reenactments. The 200 year anniversary did not include any reenactment of the original battle. Although rather small in scale as compared to the Feast of The Hunter's Moon held annually just south of Lafayette, I hope this becomes an annual event in the Greater Lafayette area.