Vermont Forts

American Forts: East

VERMONT

Last Update: 23/MARCH/2025

Orlando Bridgman's Fort
(1738 - 1755 ?), North Vernon FORT WIKI
A settlers' two-story timber garrison house, fortified (stockaded) in 1742. Attacked and burned by Indians in June 1746 and again in October 1747. Rebuilt and burned again in June 1755. Located about one-half mile south of Sartwell's Fort. The house remained standing until about 1824. A D.A.R. stone monument (1911) marks the site at 1297 Fort Bridgman Road.

Josiah Sartwell's Fort
(1737 - 1755 ?), North Vernon FORT WIKI
A settlers' two-story timber garrison house fortified in 1740. Attacked and burned in June 1755. The house was dismantled in 1837 and replaced by a farmhouse using many of the original timbers.

Fort Dummer (State Park)
(1724 - 1763), Guilford FORT WIKI
A fortification on the Connecticut River south of Brattleboro. It was a wooden stockade 180-feet square, with 12 guns, manned by 55 men. It was attacked by Indians in 1724 before the stockade was completed. The site was the state's first permanent settlement. The fort was built by the Massachussetts colonial militia. The fort was eventually dismantled by 1771. Because of the construction of the Vernon Dam just downriver in 1908, the original site of the fort is now underwater. The 1901 stone monument was relocated at that time to Vernon Street and Cotton Mill Road. The Fort Dummer Historical Association built a complete model of fort and is on display in Brattleboro. State marker once located near the Brattleboro Railroad Station. A new state marker was installed in 2020 adjacent to the monument.

Brattleboro Barracks
(1861 - 1865), Brattleboro
A Civil War muster and training camp for several state units of the Union Regular Army. Named Camp Holbrook in 1862. Part of the barracks area was converted to the Brattleboro U.S. General Hospital in 1863. A 1906 stone monument is located at 131 Fairground Road on the present grounds of the Brattleboro Union High School. Nineteen Union graves from the original hospital post cemetery were relocated to the Prospect Hill Cemetery in 1866, which became a U.S. National Cemetery in 1869, located at 94 South Main Street.

Fort Putney
(1740 - 1747 ?, 1755 - 1760), East Putney FORT WIKI
A town fort at "Putney Great Meadows" to defend against the French and Indians during King George's War. Also called Fort Hill. A second town fort was built in 1755, consisting of 15 houses forming the walls, with two watch towers at opposite corners. A stone monument is located on South River Road.

Continental Storehouse
(1776 ?), Bennington
A two-story wooden storehouse was built prior to 1777 to house foodstuffs and quartermaster supplies for the Continental Army. This was the object of the British attack in August 1777. Located at the site of the Bennington Battle Monument, which was built in 1891. A stone monument for the storehouse is located adjacent to the Bennington Monument gift shop. (NOTE: the Battle of Bennington (August 1777) was actually fought entirely within the state boundary of New York.)

Shaftsbury Munitions House
(1777), South Shaftsbury
A 1770 stone barn was used by Continental and Vermont troops to store powder and munitions prior to the Battle of Bennington (August 1777). The structure is still extant, now a private residence located on Buck Hill Road about 100 yards east of VT 7A (Ethan Allen Highway).

Fort Defiance
(1780 - 1781), Barnard
A stockade fort with two bastions (or flankers) built by the militia in August 1780 around the Amos Bicknell cabin, several days after the town was attacked by British-led Indians. The fort was so-named in November 1780. Site marked by a stone monument, located on what was later named Fort Defiance Hill, on Fort Defiance Hill Road (Town Highway 28) at Barnard Road (VT 12). (NOTE: the town was originally chartered as Bernard in 1761, but the spelling was changed sometime after the American Revolution.)
See also The Barnard Raid of 1780 from Vermont Daily Chronicle

Royalton Fort
(1780), Royalton
A militia stockade fort under Capt. Parkhurst. Apparently taken down in August 1780 to build Fort Fortitude in nearby Bethel. The Royalton settlement was attacked by British-led Indians in October 1780.

Fort Fortitude
(1780 - 1781), Bethel
A stockade fort, with at least one bastion (or flanker), built by the militia under Capt. Parkhurst, in August 1780 from the dismantled fort in Royalton. Probably similar to Fort Defiance in Barnard. The town was attacked by British-led Indians in September 1780. The fort was taken down in April 1785 for its lumber to help build the first dam at the falls and a mill at the present-day Bethel Mills property. The mill was destroyed by a flood in 1830, and the dam survived until the flood of November 1927. The exact site of the fort is not known, but was likely near the 200 block of North Main Street. The Fort Fortitude micro-park at 69 Main Street was created in 1878 with a stone monument and flagpole on land originally leased from the Central Vermont Railroad (now New England Central). It became a town-owned property in April 2007.

Fort Rutland
(1775), Rutland FORT WIKI
A town stockade. Stone monument (1901) located at present-day North Main Street (US 4) and Terrill Street.
See also Rutland Tour from A Revolutionary Day Along Historic US Route 7

Fort Ranger
(1778 - 1781), Center Rutland FORT WIKI
A two-story militia blockhouse with a two-acre stockade located at Mead's (Rutland) Falls (aka Gookin's Falls), this fort served as the headquarters for Whitcomb's Rangers. After the soldiers left for Fort Warren, the settlers used it as a gathering place. A D.A.R. stone monument (1903) is located on West Street (US 4-Business) at East Proctor Road.

Fort Warren
(1779 - 1781), Castleton FORT WIKI
A militia fort. The town later used the abandoned fort as a storehouse and as a meeting house until 1790. The site is now bisected by a road and a railroad, and occupied by a private home. State marker and D.A.R. stone monument (1904) on Main Street (VT 4A) at East Hubbardton Road.

Blanchard Mills Stockade
(1781), Hydeville
A militia fort on the old Military Branch Road (1781) at Castleton Falls. See also Hubbardton Military Road Association

Fort Vengeance
(1780 - 1781), Pittsford FORT WIKI
Built on Otter Creek west of Cox Mountain by the independent Republic of Vermont to garrison militia for the defense of local settlers in the Otter Valley from British and Indian atacks. Originally unnamed until one defender was killed by Indians (July 1780) and his comrades swore vengeance - so naming the fort, according to legend. Located on the Caleb Hendee farmstead (1774). Site on US 7, about one-half mile south of the Brandon town line, is marked by a stone monument (1873).

Fort Mott
(1777 - 1780), Pittsford FORT WIKI
A settlers' (William Cox) palisaded log fort on the east bank of Otter Creek, just over a mile south of the future location of Fort Vengeance. Built after the Battle of Hubbardton (July 1777), it was also used by the local militia, who later named it for one of their commanders.

Mount Independence (State Historic Site)
(1775 - 1777), near Orwell
An extensive fortification on a prominant headland jutting into Lake Champlain, which worked in conjunction with Fort Ticonderoga across the lake in New York (see also). It may have also been called Fort Mount Washington. Consisted of several shore batteries and a stockaded star fort. Site of winter quarters for 2500 Patriot troops in 1776 - 1777. Occupied by the British during July - November 1777, who built five blockhouses for land defense. The northern portion of the site is owned by the Fort Ticonderoga Association. The southern portion is owned by the state of Vermont (admission fee). Walking trails lead to several sites of bulding foundations and gun positions. Remnants of the Horseshoe Battery still remain.
See also Mount Independence Tour from A Revolutionary Day Along Historic US Route 4
Mount Independence from America's Historic Lakes.org

Chimney Point (State Historic Site)
(1690, 1731 - 1737, 1776 - 1777), Chimney Point
Located across from Crown Point, New York. Capt. Jacobus de Warm's Stockade was built here by the New York militia in 1690 to observe French movements. The French built Fort Pointe à la Chevelure or Fort de Pieux in 1731. It was a 100-foot square stockade with four bastions, with three buildings. It was abandoned when Fort St. Frederic was completed at Crown Point in 1737. A French settlement was then established here, but was abandoned in 1759 to the British. It was burned in 1760 by Mohawk Indians, leaving only smoldering chimneys, hence the modern name of the point. A small Patriot garrison was here at the start of the American Revolution, later Hessian troops were posted here when Crown Point was reoccupied by British forces. The extant Chimney Point Tavern was built in 1785. Admission fee.

Champlain Arsenal
(1826 - 1855, 1861 - 1872), Vergennes FORT WIKI
A Federal arsenal with Officers' quarters, barracks, magazine, and ordnance and munitions storehouses, on 28 acres. It was sold to the state in 1873 to become the State Reform School for Troubled Youth. In 1907 the school was expanded and renamed the Vermont Industrial School. It was renamed the Governor Weeks School in 1937, closed in 1979. Now the Northlands Job Corps Center, located at 100 MacDonough Drive. At least one of the original Arsenal buildings still remains.

Fort Cassin
(1813 - 1815), near Vergennes FORT WIKI
A seven-gun earthwork built (as early as December 1813 ?) to defend the temporary Naval Shipyard at Vergennes. Also known as Fort at Otter Creek. It was attacked once by the British in May 1814, and given its name afterwards. Site located at the mouth of Otter Creek at Fort Cassin Point, near Kingsland Bay State Park. Traces of earthworks may still exist on private property, at the former "Fort Cassin Club" property (1876). The nearby "Fort Cassin House", built in 1824 (or soon after) by Jahaziel Sherman as a hotel for boat passengers at his steamboat landing, was renovated by new owners in 1876, but was burned down in May 1892. No remains, no marker.
See also Jahaziel Sherman's Life on Land from Lake Champlain Maritime Museum

Fort New Haven
(1769 or 1772), New Haven
A blockhouse built by Ethan Allen to guard against New York land speculators.

Burlington Cantonment
(1812 - 1817), Burlington FORT WIKI
Located at Battery Park. A militia cantonment and hospital was first built here in June 1812. A 13-gun earthwork battery (Burlington Battery) was later built in June 1813, in action during the British bombardment of Burlington in August 1813. This site was also used as a state militia encampment during the Civil War. Site transferred to the city in 1870. State marker and 1898 D.A.R. stone monument in park. See also Battery Park History from University of Vermont

Fort Frederick ?
(1773 - 1775 ?), Winooski FORT WIKI
A two-story blockhouse built by the Onion River Company, under Ira Allen, Ethan Allen's brother, who also established a shipyard nearby in 1772. The site is located at the north-end of the Winooski (Onion) River bridge on Main Street (US 2) (1914 tablet marker on bridge). The settlement was abandoned during the American Revolution. See also History of Winooski by William E. Wargo

Fort Ethan Allen
(1892 - 1952/1960), near Winooski FORT WIKI
This was one of the largest U.S. Cavalry and Field Artillery posts in the country at the time. During the two World Wars it was used as a Regular Army mobilization center and training area. Deactivated in 1943, it was then primarily used as a storage depot. It was taken over by the Air Force in 1952 and renamed Ethan Allen Air Force Base. Despite public protest, it was finally closed in 1960. Most of the former base is now owned by the University of Vermont and St. Michael's College (North Campus). The Fort Ethan Allen Museum is located in the former 1890's era Pump House, at 11 Marcy Drive, open by appointment or special occasion. The Parade Ground is now a community park shared between the Townships of Colchester and Essex.
See also Vermont Buffalo Soldiers from University of Vermont

Camp Olympia
(1898 - present), near Winooski
A Spanish-American War muster camp for state troops, located adjacent to Fort Ethan Allen. Later renamed for each current state governor until 1945. The site is now part of Camp Johnson, the present-day training center and headquarters of the Vermont National Guard. Located here is the Vermont National Guard Museum and Library.

Fort Ste. Anne
(1666 - 1676), Isle La Motte FORT WIKI
Ste. Anne's Shrine (1893) marks the site of a French fort and mission on Lake Champlain. The site is the state's oldest white settlement. The 60-man post served as a defense for Canada against the Mohawk Indians to the south. The fort's site plan was reportedly similar to Fort Ste. Thérèse in Québec, a wooden stockade with a 15-foot high double palisade and four corner bastions, about 144 feet by 96 feet in dimension. Also known as Fort La Motte. Abandoned in 1676. Reported by the British (New York militia) to be already in complete ruin before 1690. Site was excavated in 1895-96. A small museum is on the grounds, which includes some relics of the fort. State marker located on West Shore Road.

Fort at Isle La Motte
(1775, 1814), Isle La Motte
A British fort or blockhouse was reportedly here during the later stages of the American Revolution. Exact location unknown. The island was briefly held by Patriot forces in September 1775 and June-July 1776 during the campaign against Canada.

The British later set up a temporary three-gun (18-pdr.) shore battery about one and one-half miles south of Sandy Point in September 1814 to cover the landing of supplies prior to the Battle of Plattsburgh.

Fort Loyal
(1781 - 1796), North Hero
A Loyalist-built blockhouse on Dutchman's Point that the British refused to give up after the United States won independence in 1783. Also known as Fort at Dutchman's Point. Abandoned when returned to American control after the 1796 Jay Treaty. Dutchman's Point is now called Blockhouse Point.

Swanton Barracks
(1812 - 1813), Swanton
A state militia encampment located on high ground on the east side of the village green, just west of a small stream, composed of three wooden barracks and a hospital. The town, including the barracks, was raided and burned by the British in August 1813. Several exploratory digs were conducted in 2014 to locate the site, but without success, as the town is now heavily developed.

Derby Barracks
(1812 - 1813), Derby Center
A small state militia border post located north of town and just west of Hinman Pond (Lake Derby). Raided and burned by the British in December 1813. Exact location unknown.

Greensboro Blockhouse
(1779 - 1782), Greensboro
A blockhouse built by Continental troops under General Moses Hazen to protect the new military road (Hazen Road) built between Newbury and Lowell. The road was never finished past Hazen's Notch, but the blockhouses were still garrisoned by militia until the end of the war. Attacked by Indians in the summer of 1781.

Walden Blockhouse
(1779 - 1782), Walden
A blockhouse built by Continental troops under General Moses Hazen to protect the new military road (Hazen Road) built between Newbury and Lowell. The road was never finished past Hazen's Notch, but the blockhouses were still garrisoned by militia until the end of the war. The blockhouse here was later used as a church and school after the war.

Cabot Blockhouse
(1779 - 1782), Cabot FORT WIKI
A blockhouse built by Continental troops under General Moses Hazen to protect the new military road (Hazen Road) built between Newbury and Lowell. The road was never finished past Hazen's Notch, but the blockhouses were still garrisoned by militia until the end of the war. A stone monument is located on "Fortification Hill" (private property), just east of the Cabot Plains Cemetery at 1719 Cabot Plains Road.

Peacham Blockhouse
(1779 - 1782), Peacham
A blockhouse built by Continental troops under General Moses Hazen to protect the new military road (Hazen Road) built between Newbury and Lowell. The road was never finished past Hazen's Notch, but the blockhouses were still garrisoned by militia until the end of the war. The blockhouse and camp here were the supply base for the road until construction was halted later in the year (1779).

Camp Baxter
(1861 - 1865), St. Johnsbury FORT WIKI
A Civil War training camp also known as Baxter Barracks. Located at the old county fairgrounds south of the town. A stone marker and flagpole is located on US 5 at the I-91 interchange.

Fort at the Wells River
(1704, 1725), Ryegate
According to local tradition, a crude log fort or shelter, located on the west bank of the Connecticut River just north of the Wells River, was first built by Capt. Jonathan Wells during a late winter expedition north to Canada (following the February French-led massacre at Deerfield, MA), and used to shelter sick troops who could not continue. The fort was again used in August 1725 by an expedition under Capt. Benjamin Wright. The structure was reported to still exist in 1770 when English settlement of the area began.

Stephens' Fort ?
(1777 - 1782), East Ryegate
A town fort or private settlers' fort, noted on 1789 and 1790 maps of the area, located just north of the mouth of the Wells River. In a 1913 town history an unnamed 1777-built log blockhouse was reported to have been located on the "Fairview Farm", which may have been the same structure. It was occupied by a single family, and continued to be so occupied well after the war. General Moses Hazen's Continental troops may have used the blockhouse in 1779 as part of the Hazen Road system. Continental troops were again garrisoned in the town in the summer of 1781 after Indian raids to the north, and may have used the blockhouse.

Cowass
(1675), Newbury
An Abenaki Indian refugee village with a French Jesuit mission.

Newbury Blockhouse ?
(1777 - 1782), Newbury
A large militia log blockhouse with defensive ditch, built for the protection of the town settlers against the British and Indians from Canada. It could shelter up to two militia companies. Located on the ridge north of the town cemetery at the river oxbow. General Moses Hazen's Continental troops may have used the blockhouse in 1779 as part of the Hazen Road system.

Located at the south end of the village was Col. Robert Johnston's Stockade, a palisaded frame structure for defense. It was later transformed into a storage barn.

Newbury Powder House
(1809 - unknown), Newbury
A brick powder house was once located on the summit of Montebello Hill. Struck by lightning in 1836 and rebuilt. It was still in existence during the Civil War.

Cooke's Hill Fort
(1781), Corinth Center FORT WIKI
A militia fort on Cooke's Hill for two companies of troops. Five soldiers from the fort were captured nearby by Indians in October 1781, and taken to Canada.

Corinth Powder House
(unknown dates), Corinth Township
A powder house was noted on a 1858 town map of the Cookeville area. Almost certainly post-American Revolution, probably War of 1812 era.

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