The United States obtained its independence from Great Britain via a long war which ended in 1783. Over the next 12 years the United States was governed by the Articles of Confederation, then the current Constitution was ratified, the Whiskey and Shay’s Rebellions were put down, and Gen. George Washington was elected first president of the United States.
All the while, what is today called Western New York was under the de facto control of the British military which continued to occupy Fort Niagara. A magnificent example of 18th century European fortress design sitting at the spot where the Niagara River empties into Lake Ontario. Hence, Western New York did not actually become part of New York and the United States until 1796 when the Jay Treaty brought about the evacuation of British forces.
This dramatically situated fortress is a great spot for tourists to get a sense of the effort extended by the original French, Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle Fort Conti in 1678, then the British and finally the United States to control the North American interior.
Open 9:00AM daily year /round. Visit oldfortniagara.org. for information and events.
