Fort Prince George (South Carolina) facts for kids
Fort Prince George was an important fort built in 1753. It was located in what is now northwest South Carolina. The fort stood on the Keowee River, right across from a large Cherokee town called Keowee. It was also on the Cherokee Path, a main route used by the Cherokee people.
The fort was named after the Prince of Wales. This prince later became King George III of the United Kingdom. Fort Prince George was the main place where people from Carolina traded goods with the Cherokee "Lower Towns." It was like a busy market and meeting spot.
Fort Prince George: A Look Inside
Fort Prince George was built near the Keowee River. It was directly across from the biggest Cherokee "Lower Town," also called Keowee. The fort was a large square, about 200 feet (61 meters) on each side. Its strong walls were made of earth and wood, standing 12 to 15 feet (3.7 to 4.6 meters) high. A deep trench surrounded the fort for extra protection.
Inside the fort, there was a living area about 100 feet (30 meters) square. This area held several important buildings. These included a guardhouse for soldiers, a storehouse for supplies, a kitchen, and a magazine for gunpowder. There were also barracks where soldiers slept and officer's quarters for the leaders.
Fort Prince George and the Anglo-Cherokee War
Fort Prince George played a key role during the Anglo-Cherokee War. This war was fought between the British and the Cherokee people. The fort served as a starting point for three major British attacks on the Cherokee.
In February 1760, the fort faced a difficult time. Cherokee warriors surrounded it in a siege. A siege is when an army tries to take over a fort by cutting off its supplies and attacking it. At the same time, other attacks happened at places like Ninety-Six, Fort Dobbs, and Fort Loudoun. The fighting ended in 1761. By 1768, Fort Prince George was no longer used and was left empty.
Discovering the Fort's Past
Today, the site of Fort Prince George is in Pickens County, South Carolina. In 1970, archaeologists began to dig and study the area. They explored both the site of Keowee town and the fort. They had only 18 months to work before the area was covered by water. This happened when Lake Keowee was created in 1971 by filling behind the Keowee Dam.
During their excavations, the archaeologists found many interesting items. These discoveries helped them learn more about life at the fort. Some of the things they found included:
- Three human skeletons, likely from Native Americans
- Musket balls and cannonballs, used in weapons
- Bottles that once held rum
- Pieces of cooking tools
- Fragments of wine glasses
