Fort Stanwix, New York – A Blast from the Past!
Alright, history buffs and curious minds, let’s take a trip back in time to Fort Stanwix, New York! This place isn’t just a pile of old stones; it’s a spot where some seriously important stuff went down. So, grab your favorite comfy chair, and let’s dive into the story of this awesome fort.
From Humble Beginnings to Revolutionary Hotspot
So, picture this: it’s 1758, and the British are getting things rolling under General John Stanwix. They started building this fort, but it wasn’t until around 1762 that it was finally done. The main gig for Fort Stanwix was to keep an eye on a crucial portage, basically a land bridge, called the Oneida Carrying Place during the French and Indian War.
Now, this fort was strategically placed along the water route connecting Lake Ontario and the Hudson River. Even though it was in a prime spot, it didn’t see a whole lot of action during that war. Fast forward to June 1776, and things get interesting!
Revolutionary Rumble
The American forces, those rebellious patriots, swooped in and took over the fort during the Revolutionary War. They even gave it a new nickname, Fort Schuyler, and beefed up the garrison with up to 800 soldiers. Talk about a glow-up!
Why all the fuss? Well, the British had a plan to invade the Mohawk Valley in the summer of 1777. General John Burgoyne was marching south from Canada, hoping to link up with Colonel Barry St. Leger, who was coming down the Mohawk Valley. St. Leger had a force of over 1,000 soldiers, Tories (folks loyal to the British), and Native American allies. Their goal was to meet up in Albany and crush the American resistance.
But Fort Stanwix stood in their way! St. Leger showed up on August 3 and demanded the fort surrender, but the Americans were like, "Nah, we’re good." So, the battle began.
Oriskany: A Bloody Stand-Off
Things got intense on August 6 when a bloody battle broke out at Oriskany, just a few miles east of Fort Stanwix. St. Leger clashed with an American militia led by General Nicholas Herkimer. It was a brutal fight, and the Americans took a beating, failing to break the siege of Fort Stanwix.
But here’s where it gets cool: while the main battle was happening, a detachment from the fort raided the British camp, trashing their supplies and equipment. This gave the defenders of Fort Stanwix a major morale boost. They held their ground while St. Leger started setting up for a full-blown siege. He got his forces within 150 yards of the fort, but then news arrived that General Benedict Arnold was on his way with reinforcements!
The Tide Turns
St. Leger’s Native American allies started losing faith and support, so he had no choice but to abandon the siege near the end of August. Talk about a hasty retreat! This failure to capture Fort Stanwix was a huge blow to the British strategy and played a big role in Burgoyne’s defeat at Saratoga a few months later. Score one for the good guys!
Treaty Time and Westward Expansion
But wait, there’s more! Fort Stanwix was also the site of the 1768 Treaty of Fort Stanwix between the British and the Iroquois Indians. The Iroquois gave up a vast chunk of land south and east of the Ohio River, opening the door for a major wave of westward settlement.
From Fort to… City?
Over time, the fort kind of disappeared. By the mid-19th century, its remains were cleared away. Later, some folks tried to mark the outline of the fort, but it’s hard to say how accurate they were. The site ended up being covered with roads, houses, and businesses. Today, Fort Stanwix is smack-dab in the middle of Rome, New York, and you wouldn’t even know a fort was ever there.
Rising from the Ashes: Fort Stanwix National Monument
But don’t worry, the story doesn’t end there! Fort Stanwix National Monument is a reconstructed version of the Revolutionary War-era fort, built on the original site. It’s a 16-acre area surrounded by all sorts of city stuff. While the original fort is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark, it’s the reconstructed fort that brings the history to life.
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the legislation to create the national monument back in 1935. But the real magic happened in the mid-1960s when the city of Rome started an urban renewal project. The National Park Service got involved and recommended a full reconstruction of the fort.
Digging Up the Past
From 1970 to 1973, the Park Service did a massive archaeological dig to uncover the fort’s secrets. Then, in 1974, the reconstruction began. By 1976, just in time for the nation’s bicentennial celebration, the partially completed fort opened to the public. How cool is that? More work was done in 1977-78 to finish the job.
What You’ll See Today
The reconstructed fort is a mix of earth, timber, and reinforced concrete, surrounding three buildings. You can even see the foundation of an original brick fireplace inside the fort! Some original features, like the bombproof shelters, headquarters, and guardhouse, haven’t been rebuilt, but they’re still part of the story.
Explore the Grounds
The national monument has three short trails where you can stretch your legs and soak in the atmosphere. One of them even follows part of the old Oneida Carry. And don’t forget to check out the Marinus Willett Collections Management and Education Center, where you can see artifacts, documents, and exhibits about Fort Stanwix and the Mohawk Valley. It’s also a great place to get tourism info for the area.
So, there you have it! Fort Stanwix, New York – a place where history comes alive. It’s a reminder of the struggles and triumphs that shaped our nation. If you ever find yourself in Rome, New York, be sure to stop by and experience the fort for yourself. You won’t be disappointed!