Fort Ontario (Oswego, New York)
Oswego · New York · French and Indian War, American Revolutionary War, War of 1812
History & Significance
Constructed in 1755 to bolster defenses at Fort Oswego across the river, the original fort was called the "Fort of the Six Nations." French forces under Montcalm attacked in August 1756, opening siege trenches on August 11–12 and establishing nine working cannon by August 14 to rake the exposed Fort Oswego.
The fort was rebuilt by British forces in 1759. In 1766, Native American leader Pontiac made a formal treaty with British Indian Agent William Johnson at Fort Ontario, ending Pontiac's War.
During the American Revolution, the fort served as a staging ground for Colonel Barry St. Ledger's prong of the British three-pronged invasion of New York in 1777. Fort Ontario was the site of General George Washington's last ordered offensive in February 1783, when Colonel Marinus Willet attempted unsuccessfully to capture it; the British held it until ceding it to the United States in 1796.
The fort was turned over to the United States in 1796 and was the scene of two War of 1812 battles. The present star-shaped fort was built between 1839 and 1844 and served as a Holocaust refugee center between 1944 and 1946. The fort is now owned by New York State and operated as a museum known as Fort Ontario State Historic Site.
Key Facts
Map
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🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Restored bastion fort overlooking Lake Ontario with original stone and earth works
- Period buildings and barracks showcasing 18th-century military life
- Exhibits covering French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812 history
- Scenic waterfront setting on the southern shore of Lake Ontario
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Ontario
- https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/fortontario/details.aspx
- https://visitoswegocounty.com/about/fort-ontario/
- https://www.britannica.com/place/Oswego-New-York
- https://www.nps.gov/places/fort-ontario.htm