Zoar Village was founded in 1817 by a group of German Separatists seeking religious freedom. In 1819, to survive and pay for their land, they formed the Society of Separatists of Zoar, a Christian Communal Society. Due to pressures from the outside world, it disbanded in 1898. Today, visitors can revisit the 19th Century at this German-style village. The historic district abounds with restored private homes, shops, and ten buildings open to tour by the Zoar Community Association through an agreement with the Ohio Historical Connection. Specialty group tours, bus tours, luncheons and dinners in historic buildings available.
Fort Laurens was constructed in 1778 as a stepping stone to the West and a staging area for an attack on Fort Detroit. The American soldiers stationed there were subsequently beset by British and Native American forces and the Fort was abandoned in 1779.
Fort Laurens was the only Revolutionary War fort built in what is now known as Ohio. The State Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Patriot of the American Revolution serve to honor the 21 soldiers who died there and the five soldiers unable to be identified.
Currently, no parts of the original fort remain above ground. However, the outline of the fort is still visible and the museum located on site has a wealth of information to offer visitors.