Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont — History & Visitor Guide

Fort Ethan Allen (Colchester and Essex, Vermont)

Colchester and Essex · Vermont

Quick BriefFort Ethan Allen was a United States Army cavalry post established in 1894 and closed in 1944, located in Colchester and Essex, Vermont, and named for American Revolutionary War figure Ethan Allen. Congress authorized the fort in 1892, deciding permanent defense should be established near the Canada–United States border.

Open to visitors

History & Significance

Fort Ethan Allen was authorized by Congress in 1892 to establish permanent defense near the Canada–United States border, and was built on former farmland donated to the federal government with buildings constructed using locally sourced materials. The fort was first occupied in September 1894 by the 3rd U.S. Cavalry.

It was home to the 10th Cavalry Regiment from 1909 to 1913, the 1st Squadron, 3rd Cavalry from 1919 to 1941, the 7th Field Artillery less 2nd Battalion from 1922 to 1940, the 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry from 1928 to 1931, the 2nd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery from 1933 to 1940, and elements of the 9th Quartermaster Regiment and 84th Quartermaster Battalion. During World War I, the post was one of 15 designated officer training camps in the country and held as many as 8,000 troops, with ROTC cadets from Norwich, Harvard, Yale, and the University of Massachusetts among the trainees.

The post was deactivated by the Army in 1944, after which portions were used to enlarge Saint Michael's College campus, parts were commercially developed, and part became Camp Johnson, headquarters of the Vermont National Guard. Today it is the center of a designated national historic district straddling the town line between Colchester and Essex.

Key Facts

StateVermont

LocationColchester and Essex

Established1894

Decommissioned1944

War / eraOther / Unspecified

Current statusPrivate property

Coordinates44.50555556, -73.15027778

NRHP reference95001102

Map

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🧳 Visiting

What you’ll see when you visit:

Colonial Revival cavalry barracks and officer quarters from 1894
Historic 80-foot water tower (1893), the oldest surviving structure
Fort history museum documenting the site's military legacy
130-acre historic district near the Canada-US border
Mix of restored period buildings and modern repurposing shows long-term stewardship

Best time to visitSpring (May-June) and fall (September-October) offer pleasant weather in Vermont; summer brings warmth but occasional humidity, while winters are cold with frequent snow.

Getting therePatrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV) is 3.7 km away; the fort is located in Colchester and Essex near Burlington, Vermont.

From the nearest major airportPatrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV)🚗 3 mi by road⏱️ ≈ 10 min drive

Fort Ethan Allen (Colchester and Essex, Vermont)

History & Significance

Key Facts

Map

🧳 Visiting

Sources

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