Where in the ADK? Mohawk Warrior
The Mohawk Warrior statue commemorates Native Peoples' critical role in the Battle of Lake George in the Southern Adirondacks.
The Mohawk Warrior at Lake George Battlefield State Park
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” takes us to Battlefield State Park in Lake George, NY. The park is close to some of Lake George’s most popular tourist spots, including Million Dollar Beach and the Lake George Steamboat Company. Battlefield Park serves as a testament to the region's rich history and Lake George’s important role during the wars between France and Great Britain in determining control of the vast colonial territory of North America in the mid-1700s.
Among the various statues and monuments in the park is the Mohawk Warrior. Individual Native American tribes aligned themselves with the French or the British during the conflict known as the French and Indian War, part of the global Seven Year’s War. The statue commemorates the bravery of the Mohawk people, who allied with the British and played a crucial role in the Battle of Lake George in 1755.
Honoring the vital role of the Adirondacks’ native peoples’ and their connection to the land.
George Dupont Pratt, son of Standard Oil magnate Charles Pratt, commissioned Alexander Phimister Proctor (1860-1950) to sculpt a tribute to Native Americans involved in the conflict. The resulting 16-foot-tall bronze statue depicts a Mohawk Warrior holding a musket and a tomahawk while resting on a rock to quench his thirst in a forest stream.
Entrance across from Million Dollar Beach
It is a symbol of courage, strength, and resilience and a fitting tribute to the heroic sacrifices made by the Mohawk people in defense of their land.
The artwork also references Native American peoples’ deep relationship with nature and their environment and the critical role the clean waters of the Adirondacks played in their survival. It is one of the park’s most popular sites. Visitors can find Mohawk Warrior on the east side of Fort George Road, near the pavilion picnic area.
In addition to its historical significance, Battlefield State Park is a popular destination for recreation. The park features walking trails with well-marked interpretive signage to help visitors understand the historical significance of the property, a number of other important monuments and sculptures, and places to relax with picnic areas and BBQ grills.
Otherworldly reasons to make a stop at Lake George’s Battlefield Park.
Not a history buff or outdoor recreation enthusiast? There may be one other reason to visit the Mohawk Warrior: Lake George Battlefield Park is also rumored to be a site for paranormal activity. Visitors to the park report hearing the sounds of musket fire and seeing the ghosts of colonial soldiers.
Pathway through Lake George Battlefield State Park
And the Mohawk Warrior is linked to alleged supernatural activity, as well. Some visitors claim to have seen the apparition of a Native American briefly mimicking the statue's pose before fading from sight. Read more about this and other nearby haunted spots in Lake George.
Overall, Battlefield State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in learning about the region's rich history and enjoying the beauty of Lake George.
Play our weekly Adirondack scavenger hunt.
"Where in the ADK?" is our virtual scavenger hunt. Every (almost) Wednesday, we post a picture of a place in the Adirondacks on Instagram and Facebook and invite our followers to guess where it is or, better yet, visit there. It's a great way to discover new and noteworthy places in the Adirondacks. Follow us and play along.
While You’re in Lake George Village
