- Type
- Fortress
- Origins
- 1758 · 18th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Location
- New York, United States
- Coordinates
- 43.2106°, -75.4553°
History
The British began building the fort on 26 August 1758, during the French and Indian War, under General John Stanwix; its task was to guard the Oneida Carry, the overland stretch linking the Mohawk–Hudson waterway with the rivers flowing to Lake Ontario. A treaty signed here with the Iroquois in 1768 pushed the line of settlement far to the west. American troops took over the abandoned fort in 1776 and renamed it Fort Schuyler. In August 1777 it was besieged by British regulars, Loyalists and Native allies under Barry St. Leger; after the Battle of Oriskany and a sortie by the defenders, the besiegers withdrew, weakening Burgoyne's army before its defeat at Saratoga. The fort burned down in 1781, and another treaty with the Iroquois nations was signed here in 1784. The National Park Service built the present reconstruction between 1974 and 1978.
What to see
Fort Stanwix National Monument in central Rome is run by the US National Park Service and open all year. The reconstructed fort, with earthen ramparts, timber facing and three buildings inside, can be explored on ranger tours, and costumed interpreters in Continental Army uniform describe garrison life. Three short trails circle the site, one following part of the old portage. The Marinus Willett Center has exhibits on the fort and the Mohawk Valley.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q566356
Popularity: articles about this site in 9 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).