Fort Hunter in Montgomery County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
In the Wake of Hurricane Irene
Schoharie Crossing
| | State Historic Site | |
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2015
1. In the Wake of Hurricane Irene Marker
On August 28, 2011, Hurricane Irene produced historic flooding that caused the Schoharie Creek to breach its banks and destroy the site's parking lot. As the flood water receded, a number of stone walls and numerous artifacts associated with the occupation of Fort Hunter emerged. When archaeologists carefully removed the flood debris, more stone foundations were discovered,
Additional excavations revealed flat stone foundations upon which a fort wall and a 24-foot-square blockhouse would have been constructed, The 1711 plans for Fort Hunter described four such blockhouses constructed of squared, horizontally laid logs. Soil on top of the foundation stones contained motor and brick fragments from the blockhouse chimneys.
The stone foundations in this photograph were exposed in 2011 and match up with a corner section (highlighted in red) of the 1711 Plans of Fort Hunter. After the archaeological work was completed, these original fort foundations were preserved by reburying them. Their exact locations are now represented on the surface with modern stone pavers.
Artifacts recovered during excavation included a mix of domestic and military objects that represent the site's Mohawk and British occupants. Dates associated with the artifacts suggest that the blockhouse saw greatest use from the 1740s to
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles. A significant historical date for this entry is August 28, 2011.
Location. 42° 56.375′ N, 74° 16.945′ W. Marker is in Fort Hunter, New York, in Montgomery County. It is on Schoharie Street south of Main Street, on the left when traveling south. This marker is on the site of the grounds of the Schoharie Crossing, State Historic Site, just north of the State Historic Site Visitor Center, between the Visitor Center and the visitor's parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Hunter NY 12069, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York and in the Mohawk Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Once A Farm (a few steps from this marker); Canal Dams (a few steps from this marker); The Fort by the Village (a few steps from this marker); Building Block of the Erie Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Queen Anne Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Erie Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); East Guard Lock (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Last Mohawk Indian Village (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Hunter.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2015
2. In the Wake of Hurricane Irene Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of two aerial photographs showing the Historic Site Visitor Center and parking lot, before and after the effects Hurricane Irene.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2015
3. In the Wake of Hurricane Irene Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of a photograph showing the excavations that had taken place after the flooding from Hurricane Irene washed out the Visitor Center's parking lot.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2015
4. Site of Fort Hunter
A present day view of the area excavated after Hurricane Irene, with flat stones laid out at ground level to show the outline of Fort Hunter's northeast blockhouse and a portion of the northern exterior wall.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2015
5. In the Wake of Hurricane Irene Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of a drawing showing the 1711 plans of Fort Hunter.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2015
6. In the Wake of Hurricane Irene Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of three artifacts excavated at Fort Hunter that were exposed by the flooding, resulting from Hurricane Irene.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2015
7. In the Wake of Hurricane Irene Marker
View of the marker looking north along Schoharie Street.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2015
8. In the Wake of Hurricane Irene Marker
View of the marker, looking east, with a partial view of the outline of the northeast blockhouse of the fort, seen in the open field behind the marker (on right side of the picture).
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 23, 2015
9. In the Wake of Hurricane Irene Marker
View of the marker, looking south towards the Historic Site Visitor's Center.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 581 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on September 12, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
