Fort Steuben was built in 1786 for the protection of surveyors who had been sent by the Continental Congress to map the Northwest Territory. Dr. John Holmes reveals the incredible history behind this structure, from the original construction in the eighteenth century to its rebuilding at the end of the twentieth. Find out why it took 150 soldiers more than a month to finish the fort and how the surveyors followed the stars to plan out the future of America. In the present, hundreds of people fought bureaucracy and skeptics to bring this piece of history back to life. Called "a model for sharing regional history and American heritage, " Fort Steuben is a wonderful bridge to the American frontier. Come with Dr. Holmes as he shares the story of this fascinating fort.
John R. Holmes grew up in western New York and studied at St. Bonaventure and Kent State Universities. Since 1985, he has taught English at Franciscan University of Steubenville. His fascination with Steubenville's history began in 1991 when he was asked to portray the city's namesake, Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben (1730–1794). Dr. Holmes lives in Steubenville with his wife, Von, and sons Greg, Scott and Luke, and their Grandma McGeehan. Holmes's first book for The History Press, Remembering Steubenville: From Frontier Fort to Steel Valley, was published in 2009.