Tu Endie Wei State Park
⚔️ Where the First Battle of the Revolution Was Fought — The 1774 Clash at Point Pleasant That Opened the West — Tu-Endie-Wei State Park in Point Pleasant, West Virginia at the confluence of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers, site of the 1774 Battle of Point Pleasant (Lord Dunmore’s War), Shawnee Chief Cornstalk monument, 84th Virginia Mansion House, river confluence overlook, historic markers, colonial frontier history — Mason County, WV
Before Lexington and Concord, there was Point Pleasant.
On October 10, 1774, a thousand Virginia militiamen under Colonel Andrew Lewis fought a daylong battle against a Shawnee confederation led by Chief Cornstalk at the exact point where the Kanawha River meets the Ohio. Some historians consider this the first battle of the American Revolution — a frontier war that opened the Ohio Valley to westward expansion.
The name “Tu-Endie-Wei” is a Wyandot phrase meaning “point between two waters” — the tongue of land where two great rivers converge.
The Battle of Point Pleasant
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | October 10, 1774 |
| War | Lord Dunmore’s War — Virginia vs. Shawnee confederation |
| American Commander | Colonel Andrew Lewis — Virginia militia |
| Shawnee Leader | Chief Cornstalk — leading Shawnee, Mingo, Delaware, and Ottawa warriors |
| Forces | ~1,000 Virginia militiamen vs. ~1,000 Native warriors |
| Duration | Daylong battle — dawn to dusk. Fierce, close-quarters fighting |
| Outcome | Virginia tactical victory. Treaty of Camp Charlotte followed — opened Kentucky/Ohio Valley |
| Significance | Some historians call this the true first battle of the American Revolution |
What to See
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Chief Cornstalk Monument | Memorial to the Shawnee leader who fought here and was later murdered under a flag of truce at Fort Randolph |
| Mansion House | The 84th Virginia Mansion House — one of the region’s oldest surviving structures. Tours available |
| River Confluence | Walk to the exact point where the Kanawha meets the Ohio — the “point between two waters” |
| Battle Markers | Historical markers describing the battle positions and key moments |
| Colonel Lewis Monument | Memorial to the Virginia commander |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Fall (Oct) | ⚔️ Battle anniversary October 10. Fall color along the rivers. Reenactments |
| Spring (Apr–May) | River views, wildflowers, comfortable walking weather |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Full programs, Mansion House tours. Hot and humid |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Quiet contemplation. Park open year-round |
Frequently Asked Questions
Was this really the first battle of the Revolution?
It’s debated. The West Virginia legislature and some historians argue the 1774 Battle of Point Pleasant was the first armed conflict leading to American independence. Others classify it as a separate frontier war (Lord Dunmore’s War). Either way, it was a pivotal event that opened the western frontier.
What happened to Chief Cornstalk?
Three years after the battle, Cornstalk returned to Fort Randolph under a flag of truce to warn Americans of British-allied Native attacks. He was seized and murdered by frontier soldiers — an act widely condemned even at the time.
Is there an entrance fee?
Free admission. The park is open year-round.
⚔️ The Point Between Two Waters
October 10, 1774. A thousand Virginians vs. a thousand Shawnee at the confluence of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers — the battle some call the first shot of the Revolution.
Wildlife & Nature
Tu Endie Wei SP — at the confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers — site of the Battle of Point Pleasant (October 10, 1774) — considered by some historians as the true first battle of the American Revolution. Shawnee Chief Cornstalk led the Native American forces. A 84-foot granite monument marks the battlefield. The park’s river confluence and bottomland support bald eagles, great blue herons, and river fish.
Nearby Attractions
Point Pleasant, WV — adjacent — also known for the Mothman legend. Ohio River — at the park. Gallipolis, OH — across the river.
Park Location
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