Fort Augusta facts for kids
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Pennsylvania Historical Marker
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 Location in Pennsylvania
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| Location | 150 North Front Street, Sunbury, Pennsylvania |
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| Coordinates | 40°52′33″N 76°47′31″W / 40.8757°N 76.7920°W |
| Built/founded | 1756 |
| Governing body/ |
Northumberland County Historical Society |
| PHMC dedicated | n/a |
Fort Augusta was an important fort in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. It was located in the upper Susquehanna Valley. The fort was used during two big wars: the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. It helped protect settlers in the area for many years.
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Building Fort Augusta
Colonel William Clapham built Fort Augusta in 1756. It was built in a place called "Shamokin" by the Native Americans. This area is now the city of Sunbury, Pennsylvania. The fort was named after Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha. She was the mother of King George III.
Fort Augusta was the biggest fort built by the British in this area. It was first made to help the British fight against attacks. These attacks came from the French and Native Americans in the upper Allegheny region. Later, during the American Revolution, it protected American settlers. It helped keep them safe from Native American groups allied with the British.
Fort Augusta During the French and Indian War
The French and Indian War happened between 1754 and 1763. It was a fight between Great Britain and France. Both sides had Native American allies. In 1756, many French and Native American soldiers tried to destroy Fort Augusta. They traveled along a path called the Great Shamokin Path.
This army came from French forts like Fort Duquesne, Kittanning, Fort Venango, and Fort Le Boeuf. They gathered near Curwensville, Pennsylvania. They built boats and rafts to travel down the Susquehanna River. They even brought two small cannons with them.
However, when they saw Fort Augusta, they realized it was too strong. Their cannons could not reach the fort from where they were. The fort's defenses were too powerful to attack directly. So, the attack was called off. If Fort Augusta had been defeated, it might have changed the outcome of the French and Indian War.
Fort Augusta During the American Revolution
The American Revolutionary War began in 1775. During this war, Fort Augusta became a main base. It was the headquarters for the military in the upper Susquehanna area. The fort played a role in protecting the American colonists. Fort Augusta was taken apart in 1796, after the wars ended.
Fort Augusta Today
Today, you can visit the site of old Fort Augusta. The Northumberland County Historical Society has its headquarters there. It is located in the Hunter House Museum. The museum has many historical items. These include artifacts from Fort Augusta and other local history.
You can also see the original powder magazine and a well from the fort. The powder magazine was a safe place to store gunpowder. The museum also has a library. It helps people research their family history in Northumberland County.
A model of Fort Augusta stands in front of the museum. It was built in 2013. This model is a copy of an older one from 1939. The new model helps visitors imagine what the fort looked like.
