History Along the Maumee: A Driving Tour from Toledo to Grand Rapids

(72 reviews)

Toledo, Ohio audio tour: History Along the Maumee: A Driving Tour from Toledo to Grand Rapids

This is a 55.1mi driving tour

It takes an average of 180 mins to complete.

Toledo, Ohio

The United States

$14.99

Access all 79 locations offline with the VoiceMap app

Buy for a Group

Reviews

About the Tour

Embark on an enchanting journey through the rich history of Northwest Ohio along the picturesque Maumee River. Join us as we traverse from downtown Toledo to Grand Rapids and back, unveiling the captivating tales woven into the fabric of the Maumee Valley offering new insights into the past and present.

Prepare to be captivated as our tour highlights include:

Exploring Toledo's Middlegrounds
Reliving Tecumseh's fateful encounter with General Proctor at Fort Miamis
Unraveling the haunting story of Dudley's Massacre
Discovering the secrets of the House of Four Pillars
Standing in awe of Roche de Bout
Venturing into the eerie remnants of two ghost towns, accompanied by spine-tingling ghost stories
Delving into the history of Nazareth Hall
Hearing firsthand accounts from a soldier stationed at Fort Meigs
Experiencing the allure of Toledo's Gold Coast

While our tour is designed for a 3-hour adventure, many choose to savor the experience over the course of a full day, allowing ample time for exploration and relaxation. Along the way, we'll point out places for you to indulge in delectable dining options or opt for a charming riverside picnic amidst the scenic parks dotted along our route.

Whether you're a visitor or a lifelong resident, this journey promises a newfound appreciation for Northwest Ohio and the timeless allure of the Maumee Valley. Prepare to be enchanted, enlightened, and enthralled every step of the way.

Just so you know, before we dive into the rich tapestry of our local history, I have a quick heads-up about some present-day obstacles. As you embark on this historical journey, please be aware that modern-day construction crews have their own plans for Broadway and Route 65. These roads that have witnessed centuries of history are hosting an epic battle of orange cones and detours today.

While our ancestors navigated the river and dense forests, you'll navigate lane closures and traffic signs. It’s a bit like time travel – just with more honking. Please follow the posted detour signs carefully and allow extra time to reach our meeting points. Think of it as an additional adventure layer to your tour experience. Who knows? Maybe in a hundred years, future tours will tell the tale of the great construction detours of 2024.

Thanks for your patience and sense of humor. Now, let’s start our journey through time –watch out for those orange cones!

Tour Producer

Tedd Long

15 tours

Hi, I’m Tedd Long—history geek, storyteller, and creator of HolyToledoHistory.com. My passion is uncovering the fascinating, funny, and sometimes jaw-dropping stories that shaped Toledo and the Maumee Valley.

Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or you’re visiting for the first time, you’ll hear things that make you say, “I never knew that!” From forgotten gangster hideouts to remarkable riverfront landmarks, I’ll take you beyond the obvious and reveal the city’s hidden history.

My tours blend rich storytelling, local legends, and insider tips—like the best spots for a cold drink, a great meal, or the perfect photo. Every route is designed so you can explore at your own pace, with VoiceMap-guided stops that bring the past to life right where it happened.

Come walk or drive with me through history. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for this place—and maybe a few stories of your own to share. Let’s go explore!

Preview Location

Location 17

Dudley's Massacre - Maumee Library

This is a site with some very rich history.

Dudley's defeat or “Dudley's Massacre,” occurred here during the first siege of Fort Meigs during the War of 1812. On the night of May 4th, 1813, about 1,200 reinforcements of new, mostly raw, Kentucky recruits under the command... This is a site with some very rich history.

Dudley's defeat or “Dudley's Massacre,” occurred here during the first siege of Fort Meigs during the War of 1812. On the night of May 4th, 1813, about 1,200 reinforcements of new, mostly raw, Kentucky recruits under the command of General Green Clay, approached the fort on the other side of the river. The fort's commander, General William Henry Harrison sent instructions to Clay to send a detachment of 800 of his men to surprise-attack the British batteries at dawn on this side of the river the following morning and have the rest of the troops enter the fort to reinforce the garrison.

The objective was to spike the cannons and hurry to the safety of Fort Meigs before British reinforcements could arrive from Fort Miami. The detachment, led by Colonel William Dudley, attacked the British battery at dawn, carrying out their mission successfully. However, instead of returning to the fort as planned, the raw recruits, exhilarated by their success, pursued some straggling Native Americans into the forest. Dudley and his officers tried vainly to stop them but their efforts were futile and they joined in the fray. Once they reached this area, where the Maumee Library now stands, the British and Native Americans set their trap and counterattacked. A fierce battle ensued, lasting several hours. The Americans attempted to retreat toward the river but found themselves cut off.

When the battle was over, about 220 of Dudley's men lay dead, while 350 were captured. About 200 managed to make their way across the river and back to Fort Meigs. Colonel Dudley was killed during the battle and scalped. The Kentucky soldiers who survived the trap were taken prisoner and marched back to Fort Miami where they were forced to run a gauntlet until Tecumseh stopped the carnage and had his famous exchange with Proctor we mentioned earlier.

Lieut. Joseph Underwood, Kentucky Militia, described the scene in his journal:

[Dramatic read with Kentucky accent] “On arriving near the old garrison, I saw that the Indians had formed a line to the left of the road. I perceived that the prisoners were running what is termed ‘the gauntlet’ and that they were shooting and tomahawking the men as they passed in the line. On reaching the starting place, I put off as fast as I could and ran near the muzzles of their guns, knowing they would have to shoot me while I was immediately in front or let me pass…In this way I passed on without injury except two strokes over the shoulder with whipping sticks. Just as I entered the ditch around the old garrison, the man before me was shot. As he fell, I fell over him and for a little while the passage was stopped by those who tumbled over the dead man and myself. How many lives were lost at his place I cannot tell.”

Besides the Dudely Massacre, this site has other historical interests: Toledo and Maumee were long rivals for the honor of being the county seat. Toledo was actually the first county seat for it was there; in a schoolhouse at the corner of Washington and Summit Streets, in the early hours of September 7th, 1835, that the first official court session was held to counter legal wranglings by the Michigan Territory during the Toledo War. By 1839 the squabbling between Toledo and Maumee had developed to a point where the whole county voted on the question of accepting a decision on a permanent county seat by a review committee appointed by the legislature. In 1840 the reviewers decided in favor of Maumee.

A courthouse was then built at this spot. It was small by present standards, but, true to the architectural tradition of that time, it resembled a small Greek temple with four Doric columns, a portico, deep cornice board, and the whole surmounted by a belfry and dome. The bricks for the structure were salvaged from the ruins of a Maumee hotel struck by a tornado the summer before.

After Maumee lost the county seat to Toledo in 1852, the courthouse came into the possession of the Methodist Central Ohio Conference for use as a Seminary. This school continued until 1874. From 1887 to 1892 it was used as a glass-factory. In its final bid for usefulness the old building housed the factory of Henry Schweibold, who made paper mache horses for harness displays. At last the crumbling structure was razed in 1919.

OK, let's keep going. I've got so much more to share with you! Let's make a right hand turn back on to River Road and continue our tour. Read More

View locations and route

How VoiceMap Works

Focus on your surroundings, not the screen

The VoiceMap app uses GPS to play audio automatically, at the right time and place, so you can focus on your surroundings, not the screen.

Follow a route with turn-by-turn-directions

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a fixed starting point. That lets us give turn-by-turn directions and use context to tell a better story.

Resume playback to go at your own pace

If you'd like to stop for a drink or go into a museum, end your tour then use the Resume feature to pick up exactly where you left off.

Listen as many times as you like

You can listen to your tours as often as you like using both the VoiceMap app and website.

Take virtual tours anywhere, like a podcast

Select Virtual mode in the VoiceMap app to listen to tours like a podcast - at home or in transit.

Buy for less on voicemap.me and sync

Once you've purchased a tour, it's added to your VoiceMap library. To access it in the app, just sign in using the same account.

Do tours without paying for data

Tours work offline, so you don't have to pay roaming fees. Just download them over WiFi before you get started.

Major Landmarks

The Oliver House
The Oliver House
Walbridge Park
Fort Miami
Fallen Timbers
Grand Rapids
Weir Rapids
Fort Meigs
Walbridge Park Inc.
Fort Miamis
Fallen Timbers Battlefield Metropark
Fallen Timbers State Memorial
Maumee Branch Library
Grand Rapids
Fort Meigs Historic Site
Waterville Historical Society

View all

Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
Washington St, Toledo, OH 43604, USA
Total distance

89km
Final location
Riverside Dr, Toledo, OH 43605, USA
Distance back to start location

1km

Directions to Starting Point

Start: 2 Ottawa St, Toledo, OH 43604

Our tour begins on Ottawa Street in front of the Owens Corning HQ building. Turn east on Washington from Summit Street and cross the blue truss bridge over Swan Creek. Turn right and pull over after you cross the bridge, and we'll start the tour.

Show Directions

Gift vouchers

Buy tours for friends and family who delight in discovery

Buy Now

Buy for a group

Get 15% to 50% off when you buy for a group

Buy Now

License this tour

Adapt this tour to use your brand and suit your guests

Find out more

Tips

Places to stop along the way

Looking for a casual place to dine along the tour? My favorites in downtown Toledo include Grumpy's on Huron and Original Sub & Deli on Broadway. In Maumee, there's Dale's and the Village Idiot on Conant. Want to stop in Grand Rapids? I'd suggest LaRoe's Restaurant or Knuckleheads Kafe. Swig in Perrysburg and Moe's in Rossford are also top go-to choices of mine. You can't go wrong at any of these places.

Best time of day

Traffic is generally not an issue along the tour, but it can be a problem getting to and from the tour route during peak commuting hours. On work days, it is best to begin after 10 a.m. and conclude before 4 p.m. Traffic is light after 6 p.m. but be sure you will have enough daylight to see the sights.

Precautions

Please obey the rules of the road and drive safely. Always make sure your vehicle is out of the way of traffic when pulling over for tour presentations. All of the roads used are public and traffic on some can be fairly heavy. Use caution, especially when pulling into traffic or slowing for a stop. Obey all posted speed limits and traffic regulations. Distracted driving is dangerous,

If you exceed posted speed limits, you may bypass VoiceMap directions and information.

Get The App

Download tours to use them offline

Listen hands-free with GPS playback

Get turn-by-turn directions

Scan the QR Code

“This app has become my go-to app for audio tours. I pretty much use it for every trip and it works wonderfully. I highly recommend VoiceMap for travelers to truly experience cities.”

App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”