Living History: Fort Ticonderoga, New York

This historic fort tucked within the mountains and lakes of New York and Vermont is an American national treasure.

Fort Ticonderoga is often regarded as one of the most important fortifications in American military history due to its role in multiple conflicts and its strategic location. Carl Heilman II/Fort Ticonderoga

History buffs will be familiar with Fort Ticonderoga since it played a vital role during the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. The name “Ticonderoga” is a Native American word for “place between two waters,” as it’s situated between Lake George in New York and Lake Champlain, which is shared with Vermont to the east and Quebec to the north. At 853 feet tall,  Mount Defiance is more of a hill, but it provides a good panoramic view of Lake Champlain. Vermont’s Green Mountains and the Adirondacks are also visible in the distance. 

The peninsula around Fort Ticonderoga includes wet lands and a variety of plant life. Fort Ticonderoga