Photos taken October 2011
Fort Ticonderoga, if even mentioned in any of your US History textbooks, was probably briefly brought up for a sentence or two in a chapter about the American Revolution. The fort was actually built by the French during the French & Indian War (or The Seven Years’ War for you non-Americans) and was originally named Fort Carillon. The French, outnumbered four to one, managed to repel an initial British attack, but then surrendered the fort later in the war. I’d crack some joke about the French surrendering, but the French-Canadian part of me won’t permit me to do so.
The fort was significant during the American Revolution. Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys (militiamen) managed to capture it from the British. Some of the cannons and other weaponry from the fort were then brought to Patriots in Boston to help drive British troops out of Boston, ending their occupation and control of the city.
Fort Ticonderoga would switch hands again. Not far away from it is a hill known as Mount Defiance. The British dragged cannons to its top and aimed them at the fort. The Americans retreated and once again the British controlled the fort. After the American victory at Saratoga, however, the war began moving south, and Fort Ticonderoga had little importance. Eventually it was abandoned and stripped.
So… French, then British, then American, then British. Then… nobody cares anymore, so let’s abandon it. Got it?
Much of the fort has been reconstructed. Monuments to soldiers from both wars can be found on its grounds.
This monument honors the Marquis de Montcalm for defending the fort against the initial British invasion (the guy who was outnumbered 4 to 1):
This is a monument dedicated to the Black Watch, or Scottish regiment, during the French & Indian War. The Black Watch is sometimes referred to “The Ladies from Hell” due to their kilts and intense fighting.
These and other monuments can be found on the road leading to the fort. To walk the actual fort grounds costs a reasonable admission fee.
The inside of the fort serves as a museum. Also on the grounds is The King’s Garden.
