Fort au Fer (New York)

Fort au Fer, also known as Fort of Iron, was a fortified trading post and minor military outpost located on the western shore of Lake Champlain in present-day Clinton County, New York. It was situated near the border between the United States and Canada.

Its primary purpose was to regulate trade and prevent smuggling between the United States and British Canada (now Canada). The fort was strategically positioned to control movement along the lake, a vital transportation route.

The fort saw activity primarily during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Following the American Revolution, it was officially established by the United States government as a customs house and a point of military presence to maintain border security. The specific date of its initial construction is somewhat debated, but it became more formally established in the post-Revolutionary War period.

Fort au Fer was never a site of major military engagement, but it served as a deterrent and a location for customs officials to inspect goods and collect duties. It also served as a logistical hub for troops moving through the area.

Over time, with improved infrastructure and changing political climates, the significance of Fort au Fer diminished. The need for a fortified trading post in that specific location decreased, leading to its eventual abandonment. Today, little remains of the original structure, and the site is primarily remembered for its historical role in regulating trade and maintaining border security in the early years of the United States. The location's history highlights the challenges of establishing and maintaining a border in a region where trade and movement were traditionally fluid.