Augusta in Kennebec County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
Old Fort Western / Le vieux Fort Western
Augusta, Maine
— The Museum in the Streets® —
As part of the strategy to expand and strengthen Massachusetts' territorial claims along the Kennebec River, a Boston-based land company, the Kennebec Proprietors, built Fort Western in 1754. Commanded by James Howard, the Fort served as a forward supply base for Massachusetts-built Fort Halifax, 17 miles upriver. Fort Western was never attacked, but remained garrisoned until 1767. In 1769, Howard purchased the fort buildings and surrounding land. Howard and sons William and Samuel engaged in various businesses at the fort, including the lucrative lumber trade and mercantile business for the settlement. During the American Revolution, Benedict Arnold and his 1,000 plus force stopped at Fort Western for six days in the fall of 1775 on their ill-fated march to Quebec City.
Erected by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number 3.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks, and the The Museum in the Streets®: Augusta, Maine series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1754.
Location. 44° 18.992′ N, 69° 46.281′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Maine, in Kennebec County. Marker is on Cony Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker is at the intersection of Cony Street and the east side of the Kennebec River Bridge, on the left when traveling west on Cony Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Cony St, Augusta ME 04330, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Birds and Fish of the Kennebec (here, next to this marker); First Kennebec Bridge / Le premier pont du Kennebec (here, next to this marker); Sousa the nonpariel / L'incomparable Souza (within shouting distance of this marker); Gunshots Reverberate on the Kennebec / Des coups de fusil résonnent sur le fleuve Kennebec (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Comfort Magazine / Le Magazine Comfort (about 400 feet away); Cushnoc Trading Post / Le Comptoir Commercial De Cushnoc (about 400 feet away); Augusta, Maine (about 400 feet away); 1775 Quebec Expedition (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.
Also see . . .
1. Old Fort Western History. (Submitted on November 29, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Fort Western. (Submitted on November 29, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. The Museum in the Streets Tour Map, Augusta, Maine. (Submitted on November 29, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 11, 2021
Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 464 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 29, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on November 30, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on December 1, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on November 17, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.