Fort Niagara, Artillery fort in Youngstown, United States
Fort Niagara is a stone fortification in Youngstown, New York, at the mouth of the Niagara River on Lake Ontario. Its pointed outer wall encloses a broad parade ground with paths radiating from a central circle, and grey-roofed stone buildings line the inner edges. A pentagonal outwork with grassy ramparts projects from the main wall, and the two-story French Castle, built in 1726, stands within.
French forces built the main stone building in 1726 as a trading post and fortification to control the Great Lakes. British forces captured the site in 1759 after a siege, before it passed to the United States in 1796.
The military garrison demonstrations show trades such as blacksmithing and basket weaving that soldiers practiced between guard duties. Visitors see recreated garrison life scenes in the barracks rooms with period furniture and everyday objects from the 18th century.
Access to the grounds is through the main gates, which lead to footpaths around the bastions and through the interior rooms. The stairs in the towers and to the lower levels require sure footing and are not suitable for wheelchairs.
Below the main building lie vaulted cellar rooms that served as a cold storage chamber for food supplies during winter. These underground passages connect several areas of the fort and also functioned as shelters during attacks.
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