Johnstown in Fulton County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fort Johnstown
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, August 30, 2013
1. New Fort Johnstown Marker
Fort Johnstown
Built 1774 as Colonial Jail
Rev. War Civil-Military HQ.
Inspected by Lafayette 1778
Capt. John Littel Commanded
During Oct. 1781 Ross Raid
Supervisors &
JTown Hist Soc
Erected 2013 by Johnstown Supervisors & Johnstown Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 2013.
Location. 43° 0.175′ N, 74° 22.253′ W. Marker is in Johnstown, New York, in Fulton County. Marker is at the intersection of South Perry Street and East Montgomery Street, on the right when traveling north on South Perry Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 East Montgomery Street, Johnstown NY 12095, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Fort Johnstown (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Fort Johnstown (here, next to this marker); Talmadge Edwards (approx. 0.2 miles away); James Burk's Inn (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1 Mile to Baronial Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony
this page online
More about this marker. This marker is a replacement for an historically inaccurate one. On August 6th, 2013 this marker was officially dedicated by Johnstown City Historian Noel Levee, officials from Fulton County government and the Johnstown Historical Society. The inaccurate 1932 marker stated that Fort Johnstown was "inspected by Washington in 1783." Many local experts over the years have concurred that Washington never visited Johnstown
Regarding Fort Johnstown. Fort Johnstown was built in 1772 as the Tryon County Jail. It was placed on the highest ground in the village in case of Indian attack or war. It was considered one of America's strongest buildings for defense, with massive stone walls impervious to all but the heaviest artillery. During the American Revolution, the jail became Fort Johnstown as well as a military prison. The structure was fortified with a surrounding palisade and lookout towers at diagonal corners. It was manned by militia companies to protect the Sacandaga
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, August 30, 2013
2. Fort Johnstown Marker(s)
Fort Johnstown served as a base for Col. Marinus Willett and 400 militia on October 25, 1781, when a British raiding party of over 700 Loyalists and Indians withdrew through Johnstown after burning a great swath of the Mohawk Valley.
Willett's men attacked the retreating British in a battle strung along the route of today's Johnson Avenue. An interpretive sign marks the final battle site in a field northeast of Johnson Hall.
Today the building is the office of the Fulton County Planning Department
Additional keywords. Fort Johnstown Jail
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous
3. Former Fort Johnstown Marker
This is the former Fort Johnstown marker with its dubious reference to Washington.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, August 30, 2013
4. Fort Johnstown & Marker
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, August 30, 2013
5. Fort Johnstown & Marker
The cannon and flagpole were dedicated in 1900. The cannon balls were welded together shortly thereafter to put an end to pranksters regularly rolling them down Perry Street hill. It was used as a jail until recently, and was replaced by a new county jail on Route 29.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 1, 2013
6. Old Fort Johnstown
This early photo of Fort Johnstown is on display at the Fulton County Museum in Gloversville.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 1, 2013
7. Fort Johnstown Jail Cell
This jail cell is on display at the Fulton County Museum in Gloversville. The jail cell was on the second floor of the old Fort Johnstown county jail, which was once the oldest county jail in the country. The cells were installed in the county jail in 1913 and held thousands of jail inmates while they were in use.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, August 30, 2013
8. Fort Johnstown
Photographed By Nelson E. Baldwin, Dec 1936
9. Old Fort Johnstown - Historic American Buildings Survey
Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2013, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 548 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 30, 2013, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 6, 7. submitted on September 2, 2013, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 8. submitted on August 30, 2013, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 9. submitted on September 10, 2013, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
