Where in the ADK? Fort Ticonderoga

French Mortar Cannon, Fort Ticonderoga

This week’s “Where in the ADK?” comes from historic Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain in the northeast Adirondacks. This is a close-up of a French mortar, a very short-range cannon used to lob an explosive shell about a foot in diameter over the walls of the Fort.

In the 18th Century, Lake Champlain was an important trade route connecting New York to Canada. Cargo vessels would travel up the Hudson River from New York Harbor, and at Fort Edward, their goods could be transferred to Lake Champlain to be taken further north to Canada. The French built the star-shaped Fort in 1755 and named it Fort Carillon.

A strategic location in two important conflicts.

Because of its position on a vital trade route, the Fort was in an essential location during the French and Indian War (1754–1763), which pitted the North American colonies of the British Empire against those of the French, each side being supported by various Native American tribes. The French and Indian War was part of the larger global conflict known as the Seven Years’ War, whose opposing sides were Great Britain and France. The British Army captured the Fort and renamed it Ticonderoga in 1759.

During the Revolutionary War in 1775, troops led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold captured the Fort from the British in one of the first essential victories for the Americans in our fight for independence. Many consider the seizure of Fort Ticonderoga "America's first victory" in the war, and the supplies captured from the fort were essential in other offensive and defensive maneuvers. You can read more about it here.

Fort Ticonderoga is a great place to visit, with many activities and action throughout the Summer and Fall. The Fort is staffed by historical interpreters, and they demonstrate the various activities that were. part of day-to-day life at the Fort when it was active. The views from the Fort are spectacular. And we highly recommend a visit to the King’s Gardens while you are there.

Play our weekly scavenger hunt.

"Where in the ADK?" is our virtual scavenger hunt. Every Wednesday, we post a picture of a place in the Adirondacks on Instagram and Facebook and invite our followers to guess where it is. It's a great way to discover new and noteworthy places in the Adirondacks. Follow us and play along.

 

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