Chief Richardville, the principal chief of the
Miami from 1812 until his death in 1841, signed several
treaties with the
United States government as it negotiated with the Miami tribe for its eventual removal from Indiana as a recognized nation. Lands were reserved for Richardville's personal use, and $600 was provided for the building of a home. The Richardville House's architecture reflects both
Greek Revival and
Federal styles. When completed, using both the government's and his own funds, Richardville's Fort Wayne home was the equal in style and grandeur of the homes of prominent white residents of the area at that time. The Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society acquired the house in 1991 with money donated by the Foellinger Foundation and the Ropchan Foundation. Farther south and west lies the trading and meeting place where the
Wabash River and the
Wabash and Erie Canal intersected in
Huntington, Indiana. Here is another home owned by Richardville (lived in by Chief LaFontaine)– a white, two-story Greek Revival filled with period furniture and portraits of the owners. This is also the site where treaties were signed. Today, this house forms the centerpiece of the historic
Forks of the Wabash park. ==See also==