Fort Massachusetts was the westernmost of a series of forts built in 1744, in what is now North Adams, Massachusetts, at the outbreak of King George’s War (1744-1748.) The fort was rustic, made of hastily cut timber, and initially garrisoned by 50 men. By the summer of 1746, only 22 men were stationed there. Later that summer, on August 19, the fort was attacked by French soldiers from Canada with their Indigenous allies. A handful of English soldiers were killed, around 20 people who were living in the fort for safety were captured and marched to Canada, and the fort was burned. It was soon rebuilt, but saw no more military action and was demolished in 1759. In 1930, it was rebuilt as a tourist attraction. Today, a plaque in a supermarket parking lot marks the site, along with the fireplace and chimney- all that remains from the tourist attraction.
Geunther Photo Art Studio, photographer. Fort Massachusetts, North Adams, Mass. Photograph. after 1929. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/1996-12-3212/. Accessed on October 10, 2024.
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