History Erased?
-Compiled by Scott Hayes

    When looking through the files of the Lake George Historical Association I found a file with the history of all historic forts in the Lake George area.  I flipped curiously through the files: Fort William Henry, Fort George. . .Fort Gage?  I had never known a Fort Gage to be in the New York area.  The contents of this folder revealed some shocking articles.  The fort, dating back to 1758, was bulldozed and a Ramada and Lakeview Hotel, was built in its place.  

Fort Gage

        "This eastern redoubt, known as Fort Gage and probably built in 1756, was erected to guard the military road that ran through this mountain pass from Fort Edward on the Hudson to Fort-William Henry (1755-57) and Fort George (1759) at the southern head of Lake George.  Fort Gage served this function during two conflicts the French and Indian War and the War for Independence, but was never attacked or the scene of a major engagement.  Clear remains of the ruins of the ditch and earth ramparts of this small five-pointed star redoubt are still visible.  The future of this unmarked site, however, is threatened by the development of a adjacent shopping center and possible hotel construction."  --National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form July 1969

A Brief History of the Fort - 

Excerpt from the National Register of Historic Places Inventory nomination from July 1969

    "Fort Gage was built to guard the military road which ran from Fort Edward to the head of Lake George and to serve as an outpost for the fortifications along the lake.  The site was first occupied by troops in July, 1758, though formal fortifications may not have been constructed until a year later.  French, British, provincial, loyalist, and rebel forces occupied it during the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars.  Though there is fragmentary evidence of what the fort looked like, there are no plans or detailed descriptions available in New York State.  Re-construction the fort is thus a matter of considerable guess-work.    

    Here is an account of what we presently know:

1756: Montresor Proposal

In August of that year, the British army's chief engineer, Captain John Montresor, proposed that an earthen redoubt or block house be built as an outpost for Fort William Henry, covering the military road and the heights to the south of the fort.  He suggested that the defenses be ditched, that it mount two small canons, and that it be garrisoned by 50 men.  There is no evidence that Montresor's plans were carried out at that time.

1755,1757:  French Occupation

    The French held the heights twice, first under Dieskau in 1755 and later under Montcalm in 1757.  During Dieskau's attack on Johnson's fortified camp, a provincial soldier reported that there was "a hill from which the enemy did us much harm. . ."  During Montcalm's siege, 1500 Canadians and Indians under Me. de la Corne occupied the spot.

1758: First Occupation

    Montresor was not at Lake George in 1758, having joined Amherst's expedition against Lousbourg, so he could not have laid out formal fortifications.  A post was established on the site by Captain John Hawks and a company of Massachusetts volunteers.  He and his men acted under the command of Colonel Nathaniel Whiting of Connecticut.  Established after Abercrombie's defeat at Ticonderoga, the post existed from late July till September, when it was demolished as the army evacuated.

1757-1758:  Gage's Light Infantry

    Colonel Thomas Gage, who had served briefly at Lake George in October, 1755, created a regiment which is linked to the fort's history.  This was the 80th Regiment of Light-Armed Foot, a regular regiment of nearly 500 men, meant to fight and scout much as Rogers Rangers.  They were mostly recruited from the colonies and wore brown rather than red coats. They carried hatchets, knives, and carbines with dulled barrels.  This was the first light infantry regiment in the British army, an innovative force, that was concerned to fight according to American wilderness conditions.

1759, June-July: Building Fort Gage

    Gage, now a Brigadier-General, had charge of the vanguard and scouting parties of Amherst's army.  Sometime between June 8 and 15 he marched to the head of Lake George and occupied Element Hill (the site of Fort Gage).  Here he constructed a fortified camp which was named for him.  His 80th regiment guarded the military road and supply line that led from Fort Edward to the lake, serving as escorts.  His men were joined by three companies of Rogers Rangers under the command of John Stark, later the hero of the Battle of Bennington.

    On June 21, Amherst, escorted by Gage, and his army arrived at Lake George. Montresor was the army's chief engineer and he proposed, on June 30, the construction of a series of fortifications, including Fort Gage to protect Fort George's left flank.  Leaving Montresor to build the works, Amherst's army embarked on the lake and captured Ticonderoga on July 26. Two days later Gage left Amherst's army to command the British army at the siege of Fort Niagara.

1760:  Evacuation

    The fall of Montreal that year ends hostilities in the area between Britain and France and the garrisons are much reduced.

1775:  Revolutionary War

    Gage, now Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in the colonies sends troops to seize arms and powder at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts.  Here the Revolutionary War begins.

1777: Burgoyne's Outpost

    Fort Gage was occupied by rebel troops at the beginning of this year.  On July 28 a portion of Burgoyne's army arrive at the head of Lake George and captured the defenses.  The force consisted of British regulars of the 64th regiment, the Royal Artillery, and units of Canadian militia.  Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga on October 12, led the British to evacuate these works and retire to Ticonderoga and Canada.  

1778-1781:  Loyalists and Rebel Border Warfare

    The fort was probably occupied by the loyalist forces that raided south from Canada.  In 1780 Major Christopher Carleton captured Fort George and Gage and the rebel army defending them."  

What Survived until the Demolition?

    "Still visible (and quite good) surface remains indicate that Fort Gage was a small five-pointed star redoubt with earthen walls, an exterior dry ditch, and scattered rifle pits.  Each arm of the star appears to have measured from 30 to 70 foot in length, judging by walking along the top of each through the forest and heavy underbrush.

    The fort remains are undisturbed and have never been excavated although they are now threatened by possible erosion and construction.  Unmarked Indian burial sites are also reported to be located along the top of this same hill."

--National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form July 1969

Historians Speak Out

Statement made at the meeting of the planning board of the Town of Lake George circa 1969:

Gentlemen:

    Thank you for the opportunity to come before you tonight and speak concerning the former Fort Gage property

    Teddy Roosevelt once stated; "If the proper study of mankind is man, then the proper study of a nation is its own history, and all true patriots should encourage in every way the associations which record the great deeds and failures alike of the forefathers of our people."  When Teddy Roosevelt used the word "associations" he meant the material things associated with our past as well as all citizens grouped together in a society to preserve our history.  He meant old documents, old buildings, the lands upon which our ancestors trod, their burial grounds and their steles that have been erected in their memory.

    It seems that because this area was so richly endowed with these historic associations we have been negligent in trying to preserve those impressions made in the past which would certainly be meaningful to future generations.  We all know that these historic spots have been crushed with bulldozers and disinterested people.  We all know that what is historic to one person is "mere poppycock" to another.  But I, and I'm sure many others, would ask that this Board consider the preservation of what is valuable and that which can make a contribution to the strength of America and its people.

    Shortly after Mr. Edward Nelson purchased the Fort Gage property, a Mr. Charles Snell from the United States Department of Interior called upon me and asked directions to Fort Gage.  The next day, Mr. Snell returned, very enthusiastic but also very concerned.  He found that the ruins of Fort Gage but was terribly upset because he had learned that a motel was to be erected on this site.  He stated, among other things, that although this was not a large fort it had played a very important role as an outpost in Revolutionary War days and by all means should not succumb to the bulldozer.  After listening to Mr. Snell, I proceeded to contact Mr. Nelson at great length and he finally, or at least I assumed persuaded Mr. Nelson not to disturb the Fort Gage ruins but rather to fence off this small piece of ground and to build the motel around it, hence, preserving another historic site which would enhance the Lake George area and bring people to the region.

    Imagine my utter surprise, last September, when I heard that construction equipment was reading this small piece of ground for modern construction.  Imagine, also, my surprise when after the trees were cut and the dozer had scarred the site,  I later viewed a small map belonging to Mr. Nelson showing the positions of the ruins.

    Knowing that they (the owners) were men not steeped in history but men who know a little of the historic past and the happenings at Fort Gage and later to view the final outcome is what really appalled me.

    It hardly seems fair and right to reward the owners for destroying this historic site, when they knew fully well what they were doing, by giving them the blessings of the Town Planning Board by approval of the Plat.  You wouldn't give approval for the destructions of a bald eagles nest, would you? Where have our sense of values gone?

    Perhaps any opportunity to preserve this small site is past but, by the same token, there still may be a portion that can be preserved.  The ground where our forebears trod on such an important occasion may well be the answer.  If so, I ask that this small portion be preserved and an historic plaque be erected here.

                                                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                        Mrs. Howard A. LaRose

Not a Historic Site??

    This incident of bulldozed history was the fault of the ignorance of many.  According to an undated news article "Eichorn explained that the site has not yet been declared a historical site by the state and the courts will decide if it is a historic site or if a motel can be built on the site."  That statement would make someone wonder how the site the original walls and trenches of a fort used both in the French and Indian War, and the Revolutionary War could be considered Non-historic. Excavation of the site found belt buckles, coins dating back to the 1700's, bones of animals to study the diet and trade of the area, and musket balls dating back to the revolutionary war. The remains of this fort were the original building.  Even Fort William Henry has been reconstructed.  Even worse, is that Indian Burial sites were reported to be at that location.  Many have been distraght with the fact that approval was given to build a motel over an 18th century fort, and perhaps a burial site as well. 

The Sad Follow-up

-By Scott Hayes

Sadly, I believe the hotel was built upon the site.  To my knowledge there is not even a marker of Fort Gage.  The hotel construction was carried out, and there is a Ramada Inn and Lake George Hotel side by side on Route 9 (the road where the ruins used to be). There is, however, a Fort Gage park, I believe that Fort Gage park was named after the historical significance of the area and not because the site rests within the grounds.  I hope that this story has inspired you to help protect historic sites within your area, and I encourage anyone with information, or pictures of these "lost ruins" to please contact he Lake George Historical Association.