Maiden Springs Fort

Maiden Springs Fort (1774-1794) - A colonial frontier fort first established in 1774 during Lord Dunmore's War on Reese Bowen's property. Used until the end of Indian hostilities in 1794. Also known as Reese Bowen's Fort.

Maiden Springs Fort History

Originally seven militia forts were to be constructed in 1774 during Lord Dunmore's War against hostile Indian tribes. Capt. William Russell was to command four of the forts on the Lower Clinch River and Capt. Daniel Smith was to command three forts on the Upper Clinch River. These forts were to be erected by the local militia men supervised by Colonel William Christian who had been sent out to the frontier by Col. William Preston who was commanding officer of the Fincastle County Militia. The forts were generally named for the landowners where they were located and/or the military commanders. Many of them had multiple names as landowners and commanders changed.

Even though Lord Dunmore's War ended in 1774, the Indian attacks continued until 1794 when the Indian renegade leader, Benge, was killed near Big Stone Gap.

Capt. Russell Lower Clinch River Forts		Capt. Smith Upper Clinch River Forts
Fort Preston (2) Fort Christian Fort Byrd Fort Blackmore	Russell's Fort, Cowan's Fort, Bickley's Fort Glade Hollow Fort, Daniel Smith's Fort Moore's Fort, Snoddy's Fort Blackmore's Fort	Fort Elk Garden Fort Witten Maiden Springs Fort

The Maiden Springs Fort was located at the Maiden Spring branch of the Clinch River at the home of Rees Bowen. Reese was a commander at the battle of King's Mountain and was killed there in 1780.

Current Status

Marker only on Route 91 near the intersection of Route 609 in Tazewell County, Virgnia.

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Location: Tazewell County, Virginia. Maps & Images Lat: 37.029683 Long: -81.681567 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: '

Sources:

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Maiden Springs
• VA Markers - Maiden Springs Fort

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