Atop this rugged promontory along the Vermont shore
of Lake Champlain, American Revolutionary War troops
built a fort complex
 |
|
 |
| A
monument marks the spot where a massive fortress
once defended the colonies |
|
to
guard against a British attack from Canada. The troops
named it Mount Independence in honor of the Declaration
of Independence. This new fort faced north and stood
across the lake from the fort at Ticonderoga,
which, because of its southerly posture and poor condition,
provided little protection from a northern attack. After
the unsuccessful American attack on Canada in late 1775,
the British intended to counterattack and eventually
crush the Revolution by dividing New England from the
rest of the colonies.
Under
orders from General Philip Schuyler, American troops
began clearing land at Mount Independence in June
of 1776. By fall, three brigades had established camps
of huts and houses. A large shore battery and a horseshoe-shaped
battery were completed and a picket fort was under
construction. So impressive was the combined sight
of Mount Independence and Fort Ticonderoga that British
General Guy Carleton quickly retreated to Canada,
abandoning an attempted invasion in October 1776.
Many American troops and staff went home that winter,
reducing the force from 12,000 to just 2,500. Those
remaining were sickly and a number froze to death.
| WALK
THE MOUNT |
Visitors enjoy miles
of hiking trails that wind past the batteries,
blockhouses, hospital, barracks, and other
archaeological remains of this once-bustling
fort complex.
All trails start
at the Visitors Center. Enjoy your visit;
we hope you will return often. Mount Independence
is jointly owned and managed by the State
of Vermont, Division for Historic Preservation
and the Fort Ticonderoga Association, a not-for-profit
educational institution.
|
By spring of 1777 new troops arrived but not enough
to properly garrison the forts. On July 5th they evacuated
the site when British General John Burgoyne’s forces
overwhelmed the area. They were pursued to Hubbardton
where the British werechecked in a bloody battle by
the American rear guard. The American main force moved
on to face General Burgoyne at Bennington
and in the Americans’ decisive victory at Saratoga
a few months later. British and German forces remained
at the Mount until November when they burned and destroyed
the site after learning of Burgoyne’s surrender at
Saratoga.
Today, Mount Independence is designated a National
Historic Landmark and has been called one of the most
interesting and important historic sites in Vermont.
Explore the several miles of hiking trails that wind
past the batteries, blockhouses,hospital, barracks,
and other archaeological remains of this once-bustling
fort complex. In the Visitors Center Museum, the story
of military life atop the Mount is told in exhibits
featuring many of the artifacts recovered during recent
archaeological investigations.
Visit our Calendar
for special events, living history programs, encampments,
and lectures throughout the
season that offer unique opportunities to experience
the past at Mount Independence.
Support the exciting efforts at the Mount Independence
State Historic Site and participate in volunteer programs
at this site by joining the Mount
Independence Coalition, the site’s friends organization.
Complete your trip to Mount Independence with a visit
to Fort
Ticonderoga. Together these two forts successfully
delayed a British invasion from Canada until 1777.
| HOURS
|
May 29 through October 11, 2010
Daily, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
|
| ADMISSION |
|
Adults $5.00
Children 14 and under, free
Groups (10 or more, reservations required) $4.00
each
|
| NEARBY
AMENITIES |
|
|
| HOW
TO GET HERE |
|
Mount Independence
State Historic Site
497 Mount Independence Road
Orwell, Vermont
To reach the site, take Route 73 west from
Orwell and take the first left turn. This is
a paved town road that forks; take the right
fork. The road will turn to gravel and go parallel
to Lake Champlain. Once again the road will
fork; take a sharp left hand turn towards a
small marina. The parking lot for the historic
site is on the left at the top of the hill.
|
| HOW
TO CONTACT US |
|
|
|
