Crown Point State Historic Site facts for kids
The Crown Point State Historic Site is a special place in New York. It's where two old forts once stood, right on a piece of land that sticks out into Lake Champlain. This area was very important a long time ago.
These forts were built to control who could travel on Lake Champlain. First, the French built Fort St. Frédéric in 1734. Later, the British built an even bigger fort called Fort Crown Point starting in 1759. This was during a big conflict called the French and Indian War.
During the American Revolutionary War, American soldiers briefly took over Fort Crown Point in 1775. But the British took it back in 1777. Today, you can visit the ruins of both forts. They are now a historic park run by New York State.
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History of the Forts
Crown Point was a key spot where two powerful European nations, France and Great Britain, fought for control of North America. The forts here helped them control travel and trade on Lake Champlain.
Fort St. Frédéric: The French Stronghold
Construction of Fort St. Frédéric began in 1734. This French fort was made of strong limestone. Its walls were very thick, about twelve feet, and four stories high. Cannons were placed on each level. Hundreds of French soldiers, mostly from a group called Les Compagnies Franches de la Marine, lived and worked there.
This fort gave France control over the border between their lands (New France) and the British colonies. It was the only strong fort in the area for many years. French raids often started from here, and the British wanted to capture it. The fort's cannons could stop any boats trying to pass on the lake. In 1759, during the French and Indian War, the French destroyed their own fort as the British army approached.
Fort Crown Point: The British Giant
After the French destroyed Fort St. Frédéric, the British decided to build a new, much larger fort. This was Fort Crown Point. General Amherst, a British leader, started building it in 1759. He wanted to keep his soldiers busy during the winter after they had captured another French fort, Fort Ticonderoga.
This new British fort was made mostly of earth. It was so big that it was never directly attacked. It was built after the main fighting with the French had ended. So, it was mostly used as a place for soldiers to gather, rather than a fighting fort.
Crown Point in the American Revolution
After the French and Indian War, the British left only a small group of soldiers at Fort Crown Point. On May 12, 1775, at the start of the American Revolutionary War, American soldiers easily captured the fort. These soldiers were led by Captain Seth Warner and his group, the Green Mountain Boys. They captured 111 cannons from the British. These cannons were very helpful in forcing the British out of Boston.
The fort was also used by Benedict Arnold as a base for his navy on Lake Champlain. But after his navy was defeated in 1776, the fort was left to the British in 1777. It was finally abandoned for good in 1780.
Today, you can still see the huge earthen walls of Fort Crown Point. A large fire in 1773 destroyed most of the wooden parts of the fort. But the stone ruins of two barracks buildings still stand. These ruins are carefully protected.
Visiting Crown Point Today
The Crown Point State Historic Site was created in 1910. Its goal is to protect the ruins of both Fort St. Frédéric and Fort Crown Point. Both fort ruins are recognized as important National Historic Landmarks in the United States. Fort St. Frédéric became a National Historic Landmark in 1962.
When you visit the park today, you can enjoy a picnic area and beautiful views. There are also hiking trails, a museum, and people dressed in old-fashioned clothes who can tell you about the history. Educational programs are also offered.
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