New York’s Oldest Military Fort Celebratring Big Birthday This Year

Western New York is home to all sorts of historic sites and events that are important to the founding and development of the United States. Even though America officially began in 1776 with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Africans, Europeans, and Native Americans had already made their mark on the area for years before John Hancock signed the first signature on that famous document as president of the Continental Congress.

For centuries, there has been a huge military installation that has sat on the banks of Lake Ontario, at the mouth of the Niagara River, and even as it has changed hands several times over the years, it has stood as a stark reminder of Western New York's importance to America.

With America getting ready to celebrate its big 250th birthday, the oldest military fort in the Empire State is also celebrating a major milestone. The building known as the French Castle is turning 300 this year.

Constructed by French engineer Gaspard-Joseph Chaussegros de Léry in 1726, the massive two-story castle was built at Fort Niagara to give troops stationed there in the early 18th century additional space during the battles the French were having with the British and the Native Americans at the time.

Fort Niagara's French Castle Turns 300

What started as Fort Conti in 1678 in what was originally called New France, slowly developed and grew to what we now know as Fort Niagara. After being taken by the British in 1759. While America originally gained ownership of the fort in 1783 after the end of the Revolutionary War, the British effectively still controlled the area until 1815 during the final battles of the War of 1812, when the Treaty of Ghent was signed.

With the major birthday the fort is honoring comes some major celebrations.

From Friday, June 5th, through Sunday, June 7th, there are going to be all sorts of great events happening at the fort. From Native American dance demonstrations to examples of 18th-century military engineering, there is going to be something for everyone to enjoy at New York's oldest military fort.

You can find out more about the celebration events and other things happening at Fort Niagara right here.