by Logan M. Lavallee, 

Gardiner Foundation Semiquincentennial Summer Fellow

In 1774, the British constructed a white two-story stone garrison. It was occupied by the from 1774 to 1775 and 1776 to 1796. The Americans controlled it from May 1775 to October 1776. During this time General John Sullivan fortified the garrison with an entrenchment and a wooden stockade lined with cannons. 

After the Battle of Valcour, the Americans lost control of Point au Fer and subsequently the fort to the British. Half of British General John Burgoyne's army camped here in July of 1777 on their way to Saratoga where they would ultimately be defeated. 

After the Revolutionary War ended the British kept control of the fort for another 20 years. British Captain John Steele occupied the fort and used his gunboat the “Maria” to patrol Lake Champlain. The British occupation of Point au Fer ended with the signing of the Jay Treaty in 1794. 

The fort was destroyed after being burned down by a French refugee in 1805. During the War of 1812, American soldiers camped at the ruins while watching for British ships on Lake Champlain.