Light's Fort, Colonial fort in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.
Light's Fort is a stone fort with limestone walls about 14 inches (35 centimeters) thick and measures about 30 feet by 40 feet (9 by 12 meters). The building had a basement used for storing food and supplies.
Johannes Leicht built this private fort in 1742 as a shelter for settlers in the region. During the French and Indian War from 1754 to 1763, it provided refuge for up to 200 people.
The structure shows Pennsylvania German building methods brought by German-speaking settlers in the 1700s. Visitors can see how these immigrants built their fortifications with practical, sturdy construction techniques.
The fort is privately owned and can only be viewed from the outside, so you can study the structure from the surrounding grounds. Check ahead to see if access to the property is permitted before visiting.
Local records mention underground tunnels that extended nearly a mile from the fort with hidden entrances for protection. These escape routes were vital during raids on the settlement.
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