Rome in Oneida County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Powder Magazine
Fort Stanwix National Monument
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 30, 2014
1. Powder Magazine Marker
This bombproof, being relatively dry, was used as the powder magazine. This was revealed through period documentation, and it also explains why the British targeted this part of the fort during the 1777 siege.
Munitions stored in this bombproof included gunpowder, cannonballs, barrels of musket balls and slow match (spiral coils of nitrate treated rope that burned at a known rate, used to fire cannons).
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1777.
Location. 43° 12.65′ N, 75° 27.327′ W. Marker is in Rome, New York, in Oneida County. Marker can be reached from Black River Blvd. (New York State Route 26), on the right when traveling west. Marker is located inside Fort Stanwix. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 E Park Street, Rome NY 13440, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Surgeon’s Day Room (a few steps from this marker); Orderly Room (a few steps from this marker); Commandant’s Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Family Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Junior Officers’ Quarters
this page online
More about this marker. The marker contains a picture of a soldier in the powder magazine, and has a caption of “engineer had neglected to build a magazine, though he knew there was no secure place for the ammunition. The garrison, in order to remedy this difficulty, took the seven spare feet which were left of the pickets, in in consequence of the mistake of the engineer as to their length, and having framed them, so as to form a square inclosure, the whole was placed within the body of one of the bastions, and being covered with earth, formed a safe deposit for the powder.
&brsp; Lt. Col. Marinus Willett, 1777”
Also see . . . Fort Stanwix National Monument. National Park Service website. (Submitted on August 5, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 30, 2014
2. Powder Magazine Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 30, 2014
3. Marker Inside Fort Stanwix
British Gen. Barry St. Leger laid siege to Fort Stanwix in August of 1777 during their march to Albany. They were eventually forced to retreat back to Canada, resulting in the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne at Saratoga.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 30, 2014
4. Powder Magazine
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 349 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 5, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
