ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY
Although tourists walk the area today, the Lake George region was once an important battleground, during both the French & Indian and Revolutionary wars. In 1755 English and Colonial forces with their Native American allies defeated French forces at the Battle of Lake George. In September of 1755 work started on a log-built fort, Fort William Henry.
In August 1757 French forces and their Native American allies attacked Fort William Henry. After a 10 day siege, Colonel Monro, the fort commander, surrendered. The defenders were promised safe passage to Fort Edward, 12 miles away. Native Americans, dissatisfied with their treatment by the French, attacked some of the English and Colonial troops as they attempted to make their way to Fort Edward. The French burned the fort to prevent its further use by the English. James Fenimore Cooper used this as the basis for his book The Last of the Mohicans. Today a reconstruction is open to the public. Fort George Battlefield Park, just east of Fort William Henry, is another important site. The site was fortified during the French & Indian Wars and a military hospital was located there during the Revolution. George Washington visited this encampment.
THE CALDWELL-LAKE GEORGE LIBRARY
336 CANADA STREET LAKE GEORGE, NY 12845- 1118 518-668-2528
This page last modified: Thursday March 29 2007