Fort Western

Infobox nrhp2
name = Fort Western
nrhp_type = nhl
nhl = yes


caption = Fort Western in 1936
location = Bowman Street, Augusta, Maine
nearest_city =
lat_degrees = 44
lat_minutes = 18
lat_seconds = 59
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 69
long_minutes = 46
long_seconds = 16
long_direction = W
locmapin = Maine
area =
built = 1754
architect = Gershom Flagg
architecture =
designated_nhl=November 7, 1973cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=811&ResourceType=Building
title=Fort Western |accessdate=2008-05-14|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service]
added = December 2, 1969cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
refnum =69000009
mpsub =
governing_body = Local

Fort Western was a colonial outpost at the head of navigation on the Kennebec River at modern Augusta, Maine, United States.It was built in 1754 by a Boston land company "(the Kennebec Proprietors)" to promote settlement in the area. The fort was a log palisade with blockhouses which protected a store and warehouse. It was never directly attacked.In 1775, Benedict Arnold's expedition stopped here long enough to build bateaux.Arnold, Daniel Morgan, Roger Enos, and Aaron Burr stayed as guests in the garrison, while their force camped outside. Fort Western was viewed as the starting point for their march through the wilderness.

Old Fort Western

The fort still stands today; it is the oldest log fort in the United States. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned by the city of Augusta. The fort and store are maintained as a museum, and are open to the public during the summer months.

It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973.citation|title=PDFlink| [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Text/69000009.pdf National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Fort Western] |32 KB|date=1972 |author=Charles Snell |publisher=National Park Service and PDFlink| [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Photos/69000009.pdf "Accompanying two photos, exterior, from 1971"] |32 KB]

ee also

*Cushnoc Archeological Site

References

External links

* [http://www.oldfortwestern.org The Old Fort Western web site]