Fort Augusta (1)
Fort Augusta (1) (1756-1765, 1777-1782) - A Pennsylvania colonial militia fort established in 1756 during the French & Indian War by Colonel William Clapham in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Named for Princess Augusta, mother of British King George III. Continuously garrisoned until 1765. Re-garrisoned during the Revolutionary War and finally abandoned as a fortification about 1782.
French & Indian War (1754-1763)
The fort was established in July 1756 by Colonel William Clapham at the strategic junction of the Susquehanna River and it's West Branch. Construction continued under Major James Burd.
The fort was a square design, 204' on a side, with bastions at each corner and a double palisade surrounding it. An outer palisade with four corner blockhouses surrounded the fort. The fort was designed to mount at least 12 cannons and two swivel guns. Internal buildings included the commander's quarters, officer's quarters, enlisted barracks and a brick magazine. The fort was continuously garrisoned from 1756 until 13 Jun 1765 and re-garrisoned during the Revolutionary War.
Revolutionary War (1775-1783)
Fort Augusta was a military headquarters for American forces in the upper Susquehanna Valley during the Revolutionary War. Colonel Samuel Hunter was the last commander of the fort and he retained title to the commander's quarters after it closed. Hunter and his heirs improved the property and in 1852 his grandson, Captain Samuel Hunter built the existing house that now houses the Northumberland County Historical Society.
Current Status
State owned, administered by the Northumberland County Historical Society in Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The original powder magazine and well still exist along with two cannons on display at the museum.
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Location: 1150 North Front Street, Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Maps & Images Lat: 40.8757 Long: -76.792 |
Sources:
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 672-673
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