Fort Plain

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Fort Plain (1776-1800) - A Revolutionary War Fort established in 1776 near the present day town of Fort Plain, Montgomery County, New York. Built under the direction of Colonel Dayton. Abandoned in 1800. Also known as Fort Rensselaer (1).

History of Fort Plain

Established as a Patriot fort during the Revolutionary War in 1776 on the south side of Mohawk River.

The plan of the fort was a stockaded quadrangle with a large three story central blockhouse and two smaller blockhouses on opposite corners. The first story of the central blockhouse was thirty feet in diameter, the second forty, and the third fifty. The powder magazine of the fort was placed directly under the central blockhouse for protection.

In 1780-1781 a larger octagonal blockhouse was built. The Fort was the central focal point of some 10 local fortifications. Used as a Patriot headquarters after Fort Stanwix burned down in 1781.

Visited by George Washington on 31 Jul 1783 on his tour of the Mohawk valley fortifications.

In use as a fortification as late as 1786 but after that the structures were dismantled and used to reconstruct buildings destroyed in the war. Probably completely dismantled by 1800.

Current Status

Markers only, with some significant disagreement on the date the fort was established with some sources indicating 1776 and others indicating 1780.


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Location: Fort Plain, Montgomery County, New York.

Maps & Images

Lat: 42.93889 Long: -74.63311

See Also:

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 572-573.

Links:

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