Fort Ethan Allen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Fort Ethan Allen Historic District
|
|
The Parade Ground and historic Officers Row buildings
|
|
 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Jct. of VT 15 and Barnes Ave., Colchester and Essex, Vermont |
|---|---|
| Area | 138 acres (56 ha) |
| Built | 1894 |
| Built by | US Army |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001102 |
| Added to NRHP | September 14, 1995 |
Fort Ethan Allen was once a big base for the United States Army in Vermont. It's named after a famous hero from the American Revolutionary War called Ethan Allen. This fort started in 1894 as a place for cavalry soldiers. Cavalry means soldiers who ride horses!
Today, it's a special historic area. It sits right on the border between two towns: Colchester and Essex. People nearby just call it "The Fort". Now, it's home to many different businesses, schools, and homes.
Contents
Exploring Fort Ethan Allen's Layout
The old grounds of Fort Ethan Allen are on the north side of Vermont Route 15. They are split almost evenly between Colchester and Essex. The fort's design is centered around a large, oval-shaped parade ground. This is a big open field where soldiers would practice drills.
Buildings and Features at the Fort
Roads circle the parade ground, with smaller roads leading off them. The whole area is more than 130 acres (53 ha) big. It has many old military buildings. Some new buildings have been added since the Army left.
Along Dalton Drive, facing the parade ground, are houses that used to be for officers. These were important leaders at the fort. The main office building for the fort is also here. Further out, you'll find barracks where soldiers lived. There are also former stables where the cavalry horses stayed. Other service buildings are along these roads too.
Fort Ethan Allen Museum
At the far eastern end of the property, there's a group of buildings. One of these has been turned into a museum. It tells the story of the fort's past. The first buildings at the fort were built in a style called Colonial Revival. This look was popular back then. Most later buildings kept this same style.
The History of Fort Ethan Allen
Fort Ethan Allen was approved by the United States Congress in 1892. Congress decided that some permanent defense was needed near the Canada–United States border. The fort was built on farmland that was given to the government. The buildings were made using materials found right there in Vermont.
Famous Cavalry Regiments at the Fort
Many different Army groups were stationed at Fort Ethan Allen.
- The 10th Cavalry Regiment was here from 1909 to 1913.
- The 1st Squadron, 3rd Cavalry, stayed from 1919 to 1941.
- Other groups included parts of the 77th Field Artillery, 7th Field Artillery, and 13th Infantry.
- The 9th and 84th Quartermaster Regiments also served here.
When the 10th Cavalry left Vermont in 1913, many soldiers decided to stay. They retired and made the area their home. Because of this, many of their family members still live in Colchester, Winooski, and Burlington today.
Fort's Deactivation and Modern Use
The Army officially closed the fort in 1944. Parts of the land were used to make Saint Michael's College bigger. Other parts of the fort have been developed for businesses. Another section is now Camp Johnson, which is the main office for the Vermont National Guard.
_Crop.jpg)
Even though some newer buildings are on the old fort grounds, like college housing, the original buildings are still used. What used to be horse barns are now businesses. Old barracks have been turned into apartments. The "Officers Row" houses are now condominiums, which are like apartments you can own. An old theater and church are sometimes used for firefighter training. The former base hospital is now a nursing home. Even with all these changes, it's a quiet neighborhood where many families live.
