Fort Tompkins (1812) (Buffalo, New York)

Buffalo · New York · War of 1812

Quick BriefBuilt in August 1812 on top of the bluff at the bend of Niagara Street, the fort was a large earthwork mounting seven guns, and was the largest of eight batteries erected that summer. During the War of 1812, British forces attacked Black Rock in July 1813, destroying the Black Rock Blockhouse and spiking or carrying off the guns at Fort Tompkins. It later became the location of street railway barns in 1914.

Coastal defense

History & Significance

Fort Tompkins, also known as Fort Adams, was an earthwork fort in Buffalo, New York overlooking the Niagara River. A smaller one was built in 1807 and became Fort Tompkins in August 1812.

The escarpment here allowed them to overlook the river, giving advantages over the attacks from the water. It was manned by a regular artillerist and some volunteers.

The largest and most important fortification on the American shore in or near Buffalo during the War of 1812. They were both likely named for Governor Daniel Tompkins, Governor of New York from 1807 to 1817.

During the conflict, the fort's garrison mounted a defensive position. Following the war's conclusion, the strategic fortification gradually lost its military importance.

It later became the location of street railway barns in 1914. By the twentieth century, the original earthwork defenses had been entirely demolished and replaced by commercial infrastructure, leaving no physical remains of the historic fort.