Burke Fort Marker

HMdb.org

THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE “Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”

Home — My Markers — Add A Marker — Marker Series — Links & Books — Forum — About Us

Word or Phrase

Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print

Bernardston in Franklin County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Burke Fort
1630 - 1930

By Russell C. Bixby, July 27, 2012

1. Burke Fort

Inscription. Six rods easterly stood Burke Fort the first and largest, and also the first building in Fall Town. Built in 1738/39 by John Burke it was six rods square and contained eight houses. Fifty persons took shelter here during the old French and Indian War.

Erected 1930 by Massachusetts Bay Colony-Tercentenary Commission.

Marker series. This marker is included in the Massachusetts Bay Colony—Tercentenary Commission Markers marker series.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 42° 41.572′ N, 72° 32.97′ W. Marker was in Bernardston, Massachusetts, in Franklin County. Marker was on Bernardston Road (U.S. 5), on the right when traveling north. Click for map. Marker was in this post office area: Bernardston MA 01337, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this location, as the crow flies. Deacon Ebenezer Sheldon's Fort (approx. 1.2 miles away); Connable Fort (approx. 1.4 miles away); Lieut. Ebenezer Sheldon's Fort (approx. 2.4 miles away); King Philip's Hill (approx. 3.8 miles away); First Settlement (approx. 4.6 miles away); Eunice Williams (approx. 4.8 miles away); Indian Council Fires (approx. 5 miles away); Captain Richard Beers (approx. 5.1 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Bernardston.

Burke Fort from Route 5- Brattleboro Road (South) Photo, Click for full size

By Russell C. Bixby

2. Burke Fort from Route 5- Brattleboro Road (South)

Also see . . .
1. Tercentenary Commission Markers. Original 1930 publication by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Tercentenary Commission Markers, commemorating the three hundredth anniversary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. (Submitted on May 21, 2011, by Russell C. Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts.)

2. The Line of Forts (Historical Archaeology on the Colonial Frontier of Massachusetts). This marker was placed at the site of one the forts established by Governor William Shirley, along the northern border of Massachusetts, as a defense against the French and their Indian allies. Construction of these forts or fortified houses immediately preceded the French & Indian War (1754-1763).
These frontier fortifications of the Massachusetts Bay Colony were the subject of a 2006 publication titled The Line of Forts (Historical Archaeology on the Colonial Frontier of Massachusetts) by Michael D. Coe. (Submitted on July 6, 2011, by Russell C. Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts.)

Additional comments.
1. Marker Restoration
Burke Fort marker in restoration by Bernardston Board of Selectmen- October 2011

— Submitted October 13, 2011, by Russell C. Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts.

Burke Fort Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Robert J. Briere, September 23, 2005

3. Burke Fort Marker

The marker prior to restoration.

By Russell C. Bixby, October 12, 2011

4. Burke Fort Marker

Marker in the process of restoration.

Credits. This page originally submitted on May 20, 2011, by Russell C. Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 389 times since then. Last updated on October 13, 2011, by Russell C. Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 27, 2012, by Russell C. Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts. 3. submitted on May 20, 2011, by Russell C. Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts. 4. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Russell C. Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.