Scope: New Construction
Location: Fort Loramie, Ohio
Year Completed: 2026
Working closely with members of the community, Freytag & Associates, Inc. developed the design of Heritage and Canal Plazas along Main Street in Fort Loramie. The two plazas extend the existing downtown park and create a stronger sense of place for the entire area.
The Miami Erie Canal was vital to the formation and growth of the village of Fort Loramie. The Canal Plaza features carved limestone blocks, reminiscent of the locks that are located along the canal. A water fountain illustrates the map of the canal, highlighting the locks and towns along its path. The fountain is at seat height, encouraging residents and visitors to sit down and interact with the water. Also accompanying the fountain is a limestone wall which illustrates the change in elevation of the canal from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. This limestone wall highlights the Loramie Summit, the highest elevation of the canal, and the location of the village of Fort Loramie. This water feature teaches future generations about the canal, but it also serves as a focal feature for the town with its prominent location at the intersection of State Route 66 and State Route 705.
The Heritage Plaza is located across from the Fort Loramie Heritage Museum. This plaza showcases a wall of historical images of Fort Loramie. The wall is constructed out of board-formed concrete, leaving a wood-grain texture, reminiscent of the log cabin which currently sits in the existing park along Main Street. Images selected by the community showcase the history of Fort Loramie. A small clocktower is incorporated into the space as a tribute to Germany’s Glockenspiel and the village’s German heritage.