Fort Klock facts for kids
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Fort Klock
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Fort Klock in September 1991
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | St. Johnsville, New York |
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| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1750 |
| Built by | Johannes Klock |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000859 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 28, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | November 28, 1972 |
Fort Klock is a special stone house in the Mohawk River Valley of Upstate New York. It was built around 1750 by a man named Johannes Klock. This house was more than just a home; it was also a trading post and a strong fort.
Fort Klock was used during important times in American history. It played a role in the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War. Today, you can visit Fort Klock at 7203 Route 5, about two miles east of St. Johnsville, New York. It's part of a larger area that includes an old Dutch barn, a blacksmith shop, and a 19th-century schoolhouse. The site is now a living museum, which means you can see what life was like there long ago. In 1972, Fort Klock was named a National Historic Landmark, recognizing its importance to the country.
Contents
What Fort Klock Looks Like
Fort Klock is located between New York State Route 5 and the Mohawk River. It's a single-story building made of stone. The house is shaped like the letter "L". Some parts of it are built right on solid rock, while other parts sit on a strong stone foundation.
The walls of Fort Klock are very thick, usually about two feet wide. These thick walls have many small openings called loopholes. These loopholes allowed people inside to fire weapons safely at attackers.
Inside the Fort
On the main floor, there are two large rooms. Their walls are covered in plaster. The bedrooms are located upstairs in the attic.
You can enter the basement from a door on the east side of the house. The basement is divided into two sections by a heavy stone wall. One of these sections even has a small pool fed by a natural spring.
History of Fort Klock
Johannes Klock built this stone house in 1750. It replaced an older building that stood in the same spot. Johannes used the house as his home on the frontier. It was also a trading post where he traded goods with local Native American groups.
Fortifying the Home
In 1776, Johannes Klock made his home even stronger. He built a wooden fence, called a stockade, all around the building. This was to protect it during the American Revolutionary War.
Johannes Klock was very involved in the war. He served in the local militia, which was like a citizen army. He fought in the Battle of Oriskany in 1777.
Raids and Battles
Between 1778 and 1782, the area around Fort Klock was often attacked. These attacks were led by the British and their Native American allies. Many homes, barns, and crops in the area were burned during these raids.
In October 1780, one of these raiding groups was met by the state militia. This happened in a field just west of Fort Klock. This fight is now known as the Battle of Klock's Field.
Fort Klock Today
Johannes Klock's family lived in the house until the 1950s. After that, the house was left empty and started to fall apart.
However, a local group called Fort Klock Historic Restoration stepped in. The last Klock owners gave the property to this group in 1973. The group worked hard to restore the fort. Now, Fort Klock is a popular living museum that teaches visitors about life in the 18th century.
Other Klock Forts
During the Revolutionary War, people sometimes talked about two different places called Fort Klock. One was Johannes Klock's house, which we've been discussing. The other was the home of his brother, Conradt Klock. Conradt's house was located north of Little Falls, New York.
The Klock Forts were just two of many forts in the central and upper Mohawk Valley. These forts were built to help protect settlers from attacks by the British and their allies during the war.
