Fort Prince George

Fort Prince George was a fortified trading post built in 1753 with earthen and wooden walls arranged in a square shape and defended by a surrounding trench. The installation housed soldiers and merchants who managed commerce and military operations from this strategic location.

The fort was established in 1753 directly across from the Cherokee settlement of Keowee and operated as a major trading post for lower Cherokee towns until 1768. Its construction marked a shift in colonial presence and influence in the region.

The place served as a meeting point where British soldiers and Cherokee people conducted business and built relationships that shaped daily life. Both communities relied on the exchange of goods and information that happened at this location.

The site is now submerged beneath Lake Keowee, but visitors can learn about the location through nearby overlooks and regional museums that display findings from archaeological work. Historical interpretation centers provide context about the people who lived and worked there during the colonial period.

Extensive archaeological digs in the 1970s uncovered everyday objects like musket balls, cannonballs, rum bottles, and cooking tools that had been abandoned at the site. These discoveries offer rare glimpses into how people actually lived and what they used at this remote frontier location.

GPS coordinates: 38.88100,-76.98746

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:04