Echoes of the Fort

The story of Fort William Henry, from its watch over the French 250 years ago, to the prosperous museum and hotel today.

Story by Josh Schermerhorn

Surrounded by a flurry of mountains at the south end of Lake George sits an important piece of early American history.  Perched atop a hillside overlooking the lake lies Fort William Henry, whose gaze watched and guarded fleets of ships marching down the lake in the mid 1700s and, in particular, during the French and Indian War. 

Built in 1755 by Maj. Gen.William Johnson, the fort was used as a waterway watch to prevent trade from Lake George to the Hudson River, which leads to the Atlantic Ocean.  The British built the fortress to guard against the French whose immediate threat on New World settlers was felt when the French declared war in 1754, thus, launching the decade-long conflict we know as the French and Indian War. 

After two years of serving as a fortified outpost for British operations, the fort went under fire in August 1757.  The decorated French Gen, Marquis de Montcalm, stormed down the lake waters nearly 10,000 strong.  The fort was put under siege by the French for nearly a year allowing a large re-assembling of troops south of the fort while heroes attempted to hold the crumbling structure.  Montcalm did not pursue past the fort but did exterminate the entire mass inside the fort including troops, women and children from neighboring settlements looking for refuge. 

However, according to Dr. Ian Steele, retired professor at the University of Western Ontario and writer of the book “Betrayals,” the famous siege may be overblown.  “Many people have claimed that 1500 people were massacred, but that tends to be overblown.  In fact, the more accurate figures may range from 80 to 182 people, but with so many opposing troops, it wouldn’t be that difficult to kill that many people in such a short time,” says Steele. "Affected by this capture were land disputes between Indian allies to the French, which led to unhappy Indians, but the massacre was not as 'enormous' as first claimed." 

Under French control, the British was eventually regained the fort, and later, Americans did once independence was achieved.  However, the fort lied in its dilapidated state for nearly 200 years. 

“Affected by this capture were land disputes between Indian allies to the French, which led to unhappy Indians, but the massacre was not as ‘enormous’ as first claimed.” 

Then in 1952, the fort was resurrected from its slumber into, yet again, another important piece of Lake George history.  The Fort William Henry Resort and Fort William Henry Museum are two iconic fixtures in the town.  The museum itself captures the essence of 18th century lifestyles and the grueling lives of soldiers in the French and Indian War. 

The main reason for this resurgence of the fort is due to the Flack family and, in particular, Bob Flack Sr.  “We started way back when but have had some troubles through the years,” says Flack.  “In 1965, the fort burned down and had to be rebuilt and, then, again in the 70s.  Troubles aside, the fort includes a variety of attractions depicting the French and Indian War.  Inside, you can visit relics unearthed in the archaeological excavation of the fort providing audio-visuals of the excavation itself.  The museum also displays re-enacting soldiers of the war giving a very good interpretation of the war.”  Flack also has involvement in the hotel as well.  “The hotel was built in 1842 and too burned down in 1909.  It’s been rebuilt a couple times, and was refurbished to its current state in 2005.”

Both the fort and the hotel have become iconic fixtures in the town of Lake George for history and tourism, and nobody may understand this more than Lake George mayor Bob Blais.  “I’m as old as the fort,” jokes Blais, who has held the current mayor position for 38 years.  “I cannot imagine this town without the property as it is today.  The fort contributes to Lake George in so many ways.  One, it’s a great culture show, guiding people into wanting to know more about our history in this country. The fort and hotel, thanks to Mr. Flack, have been extremely progressive for our tourism business, which is what this town is all about. They’ve rebuilt the fort, made a great hotel, and a large conference center allowing for larger gatherings.  It’s hard to think of not having Fort William Henry overlooking such a beautiful area.”

For anyone who lives in Lake George or has visited frequently, there is one icon about the fort that sticks out, even if you can’t see the fort itself.  For decades, the fort shoots off its mighty cannon, echoing its voice down the lake, tickling the mountains and towns it passes by on the shores. 

"The fort and hotel, thanks to Mr. Flack, have been extremely progressive for our tourism business, which is what this town is all about." 

However, this act has gone through more trouble than one might imagine.  “Along with the musket shots from the museum, these became controversial over time,” says Blais.  “It tended to scare some unsuspecting people from time to time, but we felt it was a necessary part to our culture.  Therefore, when we mandated a noise ordinance for the lake in the early 1980’s, one noise we would allow was the booming cannon every hour.  I don’t know what it would be like without it.”

The fort and its soldiers have even made the journey to Hollywood in “The Last of the Mohicans”, a depiction of James Fenimore Cooper’s life and journey.  Also included in the story is Cooper’s hideout, now famously named Cooper’s Cave.  The cave is located about ten miles south of the fort in nearby South Glens Falls. 

Whether Fort William Henry is a celebrity or a historic icon, its importance to the town of Lake George and even to our country cannot be overlooked.  For nearly 250 years it has sat on the south end of the lake and, over the years, has been anything from a military fixture, to the sight of a bloody massacre, to an educational experience for people of all ages. 

Have you ever been to Fort William Henry?