Editing Maumee, Ohio (section)

==History==
{{unreferenced section|date=November 2015}}
[[File:410 Conant Street, Maumee, Ohio (approximately 1890) - DPLA - 35a05ad7e8b2bdd2cad7a31934633e2e.jpg|thumb|left|A.B. Coffins City Livery and Sale Stable, ''c.'' 1890]]
In pre-colonial times, [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]] (notably the [[Ottawa (tribe)|Ottawa]]) began using the rich resources at the present site of Maumee, Ohio, in the [[Maumee River]] valley. Throughout much of the eighteenth century, French, British and American forces struggled for control of the lower Maumee River as a major transportation artery linking East and West through Lake Erie.

Following the [[American Revolutionary War]], Native Americans of the region, including the Odawa, Ojibwe and Potawatomie, and Shawnee, made alliances in what became called the [[Northwest Territory]] by the United States, which claimed it from the British after gaining independence. The [[Northwest Indian War]] was a series of conflicts from 1785 through 1795 between these nations and the US; it ended with a decisive American victory over the British and their Native American allies at the [[Battle of Fallen Timbers]] at Maumee in 1794. Maumee is the site of Gen. "Mad" Anthony Wayne's final fort, Fort Deposit, built in Aug. 1794 on his way to the battle of Fallen Timbers. Together with the conclusion of the [[War of 1812]], which preserved most US territory, the end of warfare and defeat of the Native Americans opened the way for American expansion in present-day Ohio. Promoters arrived who were eager to make a fortune in selling and developing western lands.
[[File:Miami and Erie Canal, Maumee, Ohio (approximately 1900) - DPLA - e90de58dded396960cb47f7edf93e6e1.jpg|thumb|left|The Miami and Erie Canal as seen from a bridge at Ford Street in Maumee around 1900]]
In 1817 a town plat was laid out at the Foot of the Rapids of the [[Maumee River]], and within a decade, the settlement was gaining recognition as a major trans-shipment point connecting [[Lake Erie]] and the land to the west. The opening of the [[Erie Canal]] in 1825 in New York State stimulated migration to Ohio, as it connected Great Lakes communities to the Hudson River and port of New York City. Completion of the [[Wabash and Erie Canal]] in 1840 further stimulated the economy. Jessup Scott, a noted town promoter, predicted that Maumee would become the "great city of the West," surpassing all rivals. By mid-century Maumee was a flourishing center of river trade, commerce and shipbuilding. Nearly twenty mercantile companies crowded the three miles (5&nbsp;km) of ship docks and competed for the retail and wholesale trade.

In 1840 Maumee was designated as the county seat; lawyers came from miles around to practice in the imposing Greek Revival Lucas County Courthouse erected by private subscription. Court days were a time of trade and commerce, as well. The federal custom house and post office also were located in Maumee.

[[File:Maumee OH - C and O Toledo Terminal 02.JPG|thumb|C & O Toledo Terminal in Maumee]]
Dreams of greatness began to fade in the 1850s, when ships too large to navigate the river were introduced for use in the [[Great Lakes]]. In addition, the [[railroad]] provided faster and cheaper means of transportation than river traffic and drew off business. As the population expanded westward, Maumee lost the county seat in 1854.

[[File:Wollcott-house-museum-maumee-oh.jpg|thumb|[[Hull–Wolcott House]]]]
Nearly a century later, in the 1970s, Maumee developed an economic renaissance. Today the city is one of the largest business centers in Northwest Ohio. Together, Arrowhead Business Park and Maumee's historic business community contribute to the 30,000 plus jobs in the community. Maumee has expanded its original boundaries, and the population is now more than 13,700 residents, representing a continuing downturn from the 15,000+ high of the early 1970s. Maumee's neighborhoods retain their small town flavor; in addition, many historic homes and buildings of the early residents still stand along the tree-lined streets of the architectural districts.