Fort Porter facts for kids
Fort Porter was a historic military fort built in Buffalo, New York. It was constructed between 1841 and 1844 and named after General Peter Buell Porter. The fort was located near Porter Avenue, Busti Avenue, and the Erie Barge Canal.
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What Was Fort Porter?
Fort Porter started as a strong, square building made of stone, called a redoubt. It had two stories and was about 62 feet wide. The walls had special openings, like teeth, called crenelated walls, which were used for defense. Around the fort, there were large dirt mounds and a ditch filled with water, known as a moat.
The "Castle" at Fort Porter
Before the fort was built, a house called the "castle" stood on the land. This house was built in 1836 for a person named Colonel James McKay. When the government bought the land in 1841, this "castle" became the home for the fort's commanding officer. Sadly, the main fort building, which was considered the largest stone blockhouse ever built, burned down in November 1863.
Fort Porter Through the Years
Fort Porter was used during several important times in American history.
During the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Fort Porter had not been used for a while. It became the main office for the 74th Regiment of the New York Army National Guard. Ten barracks, which are buildings for soldiers to live in, were built. The fort then served as a place where new soldiers could sign up to join the army.
Reactivated for Wars
Fort Porter was brought back into use for other wars too:
- In 1898, it was reactivated for the Spanish–American War. It became the headquarters for the 13th U.S. Infantry regiment.
- In 1917, it was used again for World War I. It became U.S. Army Base Hospital 23, a place to care for sick and injured soldiers.
- After World War I ended, it was used as U.S. General Hospital 4. This hospital helped soldiers who were returning home with injuries.
The End of Fort Porter
In 1926, the land where Fort Porter stood was sold. This was done to make space for the new Peace Bridge, which connects Buffalo to Canada. All signs of the fort were removed. A special stone, dedicated in 1899 to honor the soldiers, was moved to a spot outside the Buffalo History Museum.
Fort Porter's Football Team
Fort Porter even had its own American football team! The team played in 1917 and again in 1920. They competed against other teams in a local league called the informal New York Pro Football League.
