Mount Independence
The French fort at Ticonderoga was built to defend against a British attack from the south. During the
American Revolution, the British attacked from the North. When the American forces moved into the fort, they decided to fortify a high peninsula directly opposite the fort on the Vermont shore. In 1776, they constructed a series of fortifications and support structures linked to Fort Ticonderoga by a floating bridge. Work was well underway when momentous news arrived from
Philadelphia: “These United Colonies are, and Right ought to be, Free and independent States.” The jubilant troops renamed the new fort “Fort Independence.” The following year, British guns on
Mount Defiance rendered Mount Independence indefensible, and the Americans abandoned the post and many supplies. German troops then occupied Mount Independence. In 1910, the
Pell family acquired the north end of the Mount.
Today Mount Independence is administered as a Vermont State Historic site. It is open late May-mid October and has numerous trails for visitors. For more information, visit the Mount Independence website maintained by Vermont State Historic Sites.
Vermont
State Historic Site
