Fort Western - Definition and Overview

Fort Western was a colonial outpost at the head of navigation on the Kennebec River at modern Augusta, Maine. 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 the Benedict Arnold's expedition stopped here long enough to build bateaux. Arnold, Daniel Morgan, Roger Enos, and Aaron Burr stayed as guest in the garrison, while their force camped outside. Fort Western was viewed as the jump off of their march through the wilderness.

Old Fort Western

Today the fort still stands, the oldest log fort in the United States. It is 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.

External link

• The Old Fort Western web site (http://www.oldfortwestern.org/)