Fort Bull - Fort Wood Creek
Legal:
The Rome Historical Society is the sole owner of the Fort Bull - Fort Wood Creek property and neither the Erie Canal Village, Cross Roads Redemption Church, Richard J. Rios nor the Oneida Carry (Fort Bull) Research Group have any title or right to authorize access to this pristine historic site.
History:
In 1755 two forts were built by the British to protect each end of the Oneida Carrying Place, a strategic land portage located between the Mohawk River and Wood Creek. Fort Bull (Wood Creek Fort) named after its commander Lt. William Bull was located on the western side of the portage and also served as a supply depot for the British garrison at Oswego. Recognizing the strategic importance of the Oneida Carry and the need to disrupt this critical British supply line between Albany and Oswego the French sent Lt. Gaspard-Joseph Chaussegros de Léry with a force of more than 360 to attack the Oneida Carry. After marching across northern NY for two weeks, de Léry would arrive along the carry road on March 27, 1756, where he ambushed a supply convoy and initiated his attack on Fort Bull. As a result, more than 60 British were either killed or captured, the fort was destroyed and its stores were blown up or dumped into Wood Creek. Within a month of its destruction, the British recognized the need to build a more substantial fortification to replace Fort Bull and began constructing Fort Wood Creek. Today, it is the earthworks of Fort Wood Creek that still remain along with a large boulder monument that was placed on the site in 1907 in recognition of the Battle of Fort Bull.
Listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places in 2019 Fort Bull - Fort Wood Creek continues to remain subject to looting and exploitation.
ABPP - Fort Bull Battlefield Archaeology Project:
https://www.binghamton.edu/programs/public-archaeology-facility/projects/fortbull/index.html
Address:
5789 Rome-New London Road (Rear), State Route 46-49, in Rome, NY.
Visitation:
Due to liability issues, the site is open by guided tour only and all access must be approved by the Rome Historical Society. To schedule your visit please contact:
RHS Headquarters at 315-336-5870
museum@romehistoricalsociety.org
Warning:
This property is under 24-hour surveillance; anyone found accessing it without direct permission from the Rome Historical Society will be considered trespassing.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers of the American Revolution
History:
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers of the American Revolution was dedicated on July 4, 1976 when the remains of eight Continental Army soldiers, identified by their regimental uniform buttons, were re-interred. The remains were found during an archeological dig at what was once the site of Fort Stanwix. The fort, manned by soldiers under the command of Col. Peter Gansevoort, was put under siege by the British and their Indian allies from August 2 to 22, 1777. It has been said that Fort Stanwix is where the "Stars and Stripes" first flew in battle, lending a particular honor and interest to this site and the soldiers interred here. The Tomb was the last architectural work of Lorimer Rich, who also co-designed the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
Location:
The Tomb stands on a small park plot on the corner of North James and West Liberty Streets in Rome, New York, and is located near the northwest corner of the restored Fort Stanwix National Monument.
Visitation:
Visitation available all-year. Gate is open for special events and by request only.
The Lower Landing Place
History:
"For generations, the seasons of low water, the bateaux of traders and the armies were here removed from the Mohawk (as the river then flowed) and conveyed across the Oneida Carrying Place to be relaunched in Wood Creek. Here August 2, 1777 Lt. Henry Bird commanding St. Ledger's advance-guard composed of 30 regulars and a party of Indians under Joseph Brant established the first camp of the British investment of Fort Stanwix. This was attacked and looted Aug. 6 by Lt. Col. Willett and 250 Continental troops. Capt. Lerndult and 100 British regulars then erected here a fortified camp with a cannon and held it for the remainder of the siege. Here also was the lock, the starting point for the first canal connecting the waters of the Mohawk and Wood Creek commenced by the Western Inland Lock and Navigation Co. in 1792." From inscription
Location:
The stone and pathway is located on Martin Street, near the intersection of Mill and Martin Streets. Coordinates are: 43° 11.924′ N, 75° 26.687′ W
Visitation:
This site is open to the general public all-year, from sunrise to sunset.
Please contact Rome Historical Society if you would like to set up a guided tour.
