Fort Klock (1)

 (1750-1783) - A French & Indian War trading post and fort established in 1750 east of St. Johnsville, Montgomery County, New York. Named Fort Klock after the owner of the property Johannes Klock. Abandoned as a fortification about 1783 at the end of the Revolutionary War.

Fort Klock
Built as settler fortification and trading post, it included a large "L" shaped stone building established circa 1750 by Johannes Klock. The stone building had two foot thick walls and defensive gun loopholes with a spring in the basement. The building sheltered settlers and sometimes troops during the French & Indian War and the Revolutionary War.

During the Revolutionary War the battles of Stone Arabia and Klock's Field were fought in October 1780 near the Fort. The battles ended British Colonel John Johnson's raid on the Schoharie and Mohawk Valleys by his 2500 Tories and Indians. The war and Johnson's raid devastated the Mohawk valley destroying some 200 dwellings and 150,000 bushels of wheat.

Abandoned as a fortification at the end of the Revolutionary War about 1783.

Visitors to the house over the years included General Philip J. Schuyler and Dewitt Clinton, Alexander Hamilton, Indian Chief Brant, and John Jacob Astor.

Current Status
Must See! Present day Fort Klock is part of a 30-acre complex that includes the original homestead, a renovated Colonial Dutch Barn, blacksmith shop, and 19th-century schoolhouse. The complex is maintained by Fort Klock Historic Restoration, open to the public Tuesday through Sunday 9:00 am to 5 p.m. Memorial Day through Columbus Day.

See Also:
 * Mohawk Valley Forts

Sources:
 * , page 562.

Links:
 * North American Forts - Fort Klock
 * Wikipedia - Fort Klock
 * I Spy in St. Johnsonville
 * Fort Klock Website
 * Three Rivers - Fort Klock
 * HABS Survey of Fort Klock Buildings