Fort Gratiot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fort Gratiot
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Pine Grove Park, 2012 - the southern section of Fort Gratiot
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Along Thomas Edison Parkway, Port Huron, Michigan |
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| Area | 7.5 acres (3.0 ha) |
| Built | 1814 |
| NRHP reference No. | 80004069 |
| Added to NRHP | April 14, 1980 |
Fort Gratiot was an important American stockade fort. It was built from wood in Port Huron, Michigan, in St. Clair County, Michigan. The fort was located right where the St. Clair River meets Lake Huron. Today, the area where the fort once stood is listed as a special historic place.
Contents
History of Fort Gratiot
Why the Fort Was Built
The United States Army built Fort Gratiot in 1814. Its main job was to protect the important meeting point of the St. Clair River and Lake Huron. This spot was key for controlling trade and travel in the area.
Naming the Fort
The fort was named after Charles Gratiot. He was the engineer who oversaw its construction. He made sure the fort was built strong and correctly.
Life at the Fort
Soldiers lived and worked at Fort Gratiot from 1814 until 1822. After eight years, the Army left the fort. A few years later, between 1825 and 1829, Lucius Lyon built the Fort Gratiot Light (a lighthouse) nearby.
Rebuilding and Later Use
The Army returned to Fort Gratiot in 1828. They rebuilt the fort, making it a bit smaller than before. They also added some timber-framed buildings. These included a hospital and homes for the officers. The fort was used on and off until 1879.
The Fort's Final Years
Fort Gratiot was officially abandoned by the Army in 1879. It was not fully closed down until 1895.
What Remains Today
Today, a park called Pine Grove Park covers part of the old fort site. The timber-framed hospital and officers' quarters were moved several times. In the 1980s, experts studied these buildings to find out how old they were.
Later, from 2000 to 2002, the Port Huron Museum bought both buildings. They moved them to Lighthouse Park, near the Fort Gratiot Light. Restoration work on these historic buildings began in 2012.
What Fort Gratiot Looked Like
The first Fort Gratiot was made entirely of wood. It had a base of logs. Tall, upright timbers formed a strong wall, called a stockade. The fort was about 165 feet wide and 495 feet long. It probably had a two-story blockhouse. A blockhouse was a small, strong fort building. It was designed to defend against attacks.
Gallery
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Entrance to Fort Gratiot, residence square
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Fort Gratiot from the northwest
