Fort Montgomery (Hudson River)
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Fort Montgomery State Historic Site
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Cannons at the site of the fort, 2007
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| Location | Fort Montgomery, Highlands, New York, USA |
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| Nearest city | Peekskill |
| Coordinates | 41°19′26″N 73°59′13″W / 41.32389°N 73.98694°WCoordinates: 41°19′26″N 73°59′13″W / 41.32389°N 73.98694°W |
| Built | 1776 |
| NRHP Reference # | 72000897 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | November 28, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | November 28, 1972 |
Fort Montgomery is the name of a fortification built in 1776 by the Continental Army on West Bank of the Hudson River during the American Revolution. It is part of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. Fort Montgomery was one of the first major investments by the Americans in strategic construction projects. Declared a National Historic Landmark, it is owned and operated by the state of New York as the Fort Montgomery State Historic Site.
The strategic importance of the ability to control navigation along the Hudson River was obvious to both the Americans and the British from the outbreak of open hostilities. The Hudson was the major means for transportation of supplies and troops throughout a large portion of the northeast. The fort was constructed at a site noted as early as the seventeenth century for its strategic advantage in controlling navigation along the river.
A month after the first open armed conflict in Lexington, the Continental Congress resolved on May 25, 1775 to build fortifications in the Hudson highlands for the purpose of protecting and maintaining control of the Hudson River. It noted that "…a post be also taken in the Highlands on each side of Hudson’s River and batteries erected in such a manner as will most effectually prevent any vessels passing that may be sent to harass the inhabitants on the borders of said river…"
James Clinton and Christopher Tappan, both lifetime residents of the area, were sent to scout appropriate locations. The initial site chosen was further to the north, on Martlaer's Island, across from West Point. Plans for the fort called for four bastions. Construction of the fortifications began in the summer of 1775. By November it had 70 cannons. However, difficulties in construction and management of the original plan of fortifications, together with escalating costs, led to abandonment of that project. The site on the north side of Popolopen Creek across from Anthony's Nose was proposed, and in January 1776, the materials and resources from Fort Constitution were redirected to the construction at the new site. Construction began on the new Fort Montgomery in March 1776.
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