Fort Loyal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fort Loyal
Portland, Maine
Fort Falmouth on Falmouth Neck; map by Henry Barnsley, 1763
Type	Fort
Site information
Controlled by	Great Britain
Site history
Built	1678
In use	1678-1690, 1742-1763, 1775-1783
Materials	log palisade
Battles/wars	Battle of Fort Loyal
Garrison information
Past commanders	Edward Tyng, George Lockhart, Sylvanus Davis, Moses Fowler, Abner Lowell
Garrison	15

Fort Loyal was an important fort built by British settlers in 1678. It was located in a place called Falmouth, which is now Portland, Maine. This fort was like a safe place and a military base for the British in Casco Bay.

The fort was destroyed in 1690 during a big fight known as the Battle of Fort Loyal. This battle involved Native American groups like the Abenaki and French forces. Fort Loyal was rebuilt later, first in 1742, and then again in 1775.

What Was Fort Loyal?

Fort Loyal was a strong structure built to protect the early British settlers. It was made of a log fence, called a palisade. The fort helped keep the town safe from attacks. It played a role in several important wars in American history.

Early Days of Falmouth

The area where Fort Loyal was built was first settled by English people in 1632. They created a small village focused on fishing and trading. It was originally named Casco.

Later, in 1658, the Massachusetts Bay Colony took control of the Province of Maine. At this time, the town's name was changed to Falmouth.

Challenges for the Settlement

Life was not always peaceful for the settlers. In 1676, the village of Falmouth was attacked and destroyed by the Abenaki people. This happened during a conflict known as King Philip's War. After the war ended, English colonists returned to rebuild their homes in 1678.

Building and Destroying Fort Loyal

Fort Loyal was built in 1678 to protect the town from future attacks. It was located in the center of what is now Portland, near India Street. In 1690, the fort had four wooden blockhouses and eight cannons.

During a war called King William's War, French and Native American allies attacked the English settlement. They destroyed the town and the fort in the Battle of Fort Loyal in 1690. After this, the Massachusetts colony did not rebuild Fort Loyal right away. Instead, they built a different fort called Fort Casco nearby.

Fort Loyal's Later Years

The fort was rebuilt in 1742 and given a new name: "Falmouth Fort." This happened before a war known as King George's War. It was armed again in 1755 for the French and Indian War.

Celebrations at the Fort

In 1759, there was a big celebration at the fort in Falmouth. This was when news arrived that Quebec had been captured by the British in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. Reverend Thomas Smith wrote about it, saying, "The cannon were fired at the fort yesterday and today." He also mentioned that a house was lit up, and small guns were fired in the evening to celebrate the victory.

Fort Loyal in the American Revolution

In 1775, during the American Revolution, new defenses were built at the Fort Loyal site. These were called the "Lower Battery." Some parts of the old fort, like the guard house, were still used.

What Happened to the Fort Site?

The hill where the fort stood was leveled in the 1850s. This was done to build the Grand Trunk Railway. Today, you can find a special plaque that remembers the fort's location. It is on the Grand Trunk Office Building at the corner of India and Thames Streets in Portland.