Old Fort Niagara

The point where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario in Youngstown, New York, once looked much different, with ships on the horizon and cannon fire in the air. The French occupied Old Fort Niagara during the French and Indian War, until 1759 when the British took over. 

The British remained on the inlet through the American Revolution until 1796, and then again during the War of 1812. After the war ended, the fort was permanently handed back to the United States, and the Army used it until 1963, making it one of the longest used military bases in the nation. 

When visitors arrive at Old Fort Niagara, one of the first things they notice is the castle the French built in 1726. Tour guides are dressed in 18th-century attire and share stories of the fort during that era. Visitors can walk the grounds to see some of the oldest buildings in the Great Lakes and learn about their wartime uses. 102 Morrow Plaza, Youngstown, New York 14174, 716/745-7611, oldfortniagara.org