By: Heather Jo Reynolds

By: Heather Jo Reynolds

historyEarly man and many Indian tribes roamed this part of the Wabash Valley before the thriving trading post of Keth-tip-pe-can-nunk was est. in the 18 th century. Known to many as "Tippecanoe." The village thrived until 1791 when it was destroyed in an attempt to scatter the Indians and open the land to the new white settlers. 17 years later a new Indian village was established on or near the old Keth-tip-pe-can-nunk site at the Wabash/Tippecanoe River junction. Known as "Prophet's Town", this village was destined to become the capitol of a great Indian confederacy. The town was founded in May, 1808, when two Shawnee brothers, Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa (the Prophet), left their native Ohio land after being permitted to settle on these Potawatomi and Kickapoo-held lands. Tecumseh and the Prophet planned to unite many tribes into an organized defense against the growing number of western settlers. Through this union they could defend the lands they had lived on for thousands of years. Although Tecumseh had warned his brother not to attack the white men until the confederation was strong and completely unified, the angry Prophet lashed his men with a fiery pep talk. Claiming the white man's bullets could not harm them, the Prophet led his men near the army campsite. From a high rock ledge west of the camp, he gave an order to attack just before daybreak on the following day. Two into the new day, thirty-seven soldiers were dead, twenty-five others were to die of injuries, and over 126 were wounded. The Indian casualties were unknown, but their spirit was crushed. Angered by deceit, the weary warriors stripped the Prophet of his power and threatened to kill him. Tecumseh returned three

months later to find his dream in ashes. he gathered his remaining followers and allied with British forces. Tecumseh played a key role in the War of 1812, being active in the fall of Detroit, but he was killed at the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813. The Battle of Tippecanoe is considered by many to be one of the opening battles of the War of 1812.

Geography

• Tippecanoe Township is a little over one mile northwest of the Wabash River.

• The small Harrison Creek begins near Battle Ground and flows east, while Burnett Creek skirts the town's western edge and flows southwest.

population• As of the census of 2000, there were: 1,323 people, 470 households375 families residing in the town.

• The population density was 1,152.5 people per square mile• The racial makeup of the town was:98.79% White0.15% African American 0.08% Native American 0.15% Asian 0.30% from other races0.53% from two or more races.

• The median income for a household in the town was $52,857, and the median income for a family was $60,125.

• Males had a median income of $39,167 versus $26,667 for females. • About 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line.

History of Tippecanoe school corporation:• In 1826, just 10 years after Indiana received statehood and only 15 years after the

Battle of Tippecanoe, a county school system was organized.• Later, in 1830, a building was constructed for use as a school. A second school

was erected the following year elsewhere in the township. Sometime during the 1830's a wood and stone school was constructed.

• At battle Ground…• In 1857 the first of two "colleges", or academies as they were

known, was opened in Battle Ground and used until 1868.• These were later used as a Battle Ground public school between

1882 and 1903.

Tippecanoe S.C

• Special Awards for Battle Ground ElementaryCyberfair 2000 - Platinum Winner Cyberfair 2001 - Gold Winner Cyberfair 2002 - Platinum Winner

International School CyberFair is an award-winning authentic learning program used by schools and youth organizations around the world. Youth conduct research about their community and publish their findings on the web. Recognition is given to the best projects in each of eight categories.

This White House-endorsed program encourages youth to become community ambassadors by working collaboratively and using technology to share what

they have learned. Students evaluate each other's projects by using a unique online evaluation tool.

As a teacher…There are many resources to use and incorporate in the

classroom.• Battle Ground Museum, and Battle Field. • Prophet's Rock• Prophet's Town• Wolf’s Park• Heritage Trail

These recourses could be used in many different ways to fully submerse the students in history, but also in:

Science in dealing with nature Math with using graphs, percentages/ratios, and timelines English by reading about the actual events or creating a diary of a person at that time

Technology by exploring what other facts they could find on different sites

P.E or music with songs or games during the time of the battle.

Standards2.1.1 • Identify when the local community was established and identify its

founders and early settlers.

2.1.4 • Identify and describe community celebrations, symbols and traditions and

explain why they are important.

2.1.5 • Chronological Thinking, Historical Comprehension, Research: Develop a

simple timeline of important events in the history of the school and/or community.

Resources

• http://www.battleground.in.gov/sites.htm • http://www.wvec.k12.in.us/bge/ • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Battle_Ground,_Indiana • http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsncf/

winners/index.cfm • http://www.tcha.mus.in.us/battlehistory.htm