"Washington's Lost Battle" Fort Necessity State Park by grandmaR

It was raining as we drove through Farmington, and we bypassed General Braddock's grave (although that was an interesting story). We got to Ft. Necessity just before 0900. We weren't sure if the Visitor's Center (which was not here in 1959) would be open on Memorial Day, so I walked over and took this picture from in front of it. Just about that time, the ranger arrived.

We went in and saw the film, and then (links are to the travelogues) walked out the path to the fort reading the signs as we went. Then we went inside the stockade. We walked back and then I took the path partway up towards the Tavern.

We left a little before 10 and continued down Route 40 and joined up with I-68 after we crossed into Maryland. It continued to rain.

At Hancock, we exited I-68 and crossed into West Virginia on US 522. We stopped at 1143 in the rain in Berkley Springs for lunch at McDonalds. Then we went on through WInchester Virginia .

This was the fort as it was in 1959. You can see the earthworks fairly clearly in this picture.

This sign says in part:

FORT NECESSITY NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD SITE
French and Indian War

" On this 'charming field for an encounter' George Washington built Fort Necessity in May-June 1754 as defense against an approaching French force. The battle fought here July 4 brought on the French and Indian War for control of the continent. Burnt by the French after the battle, Fort Necessity was reconstructed on the original site in 1954."

When we were driving back to Maryland on our honeymoon in 1959, we saw this road sign. The road sign and a reconstructed fort were all there was at this site. We stopped and I took a picture of Bob with the sign.

It says,

FORT NECESSITY
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Col. George Washington on May 29, 1754 began a fort here. July 4, he surrendered to a superior force of French. Fort Necessity Park includes the historic area and the reconstructed fort."

• Pros:The site of the beginning of the French and Indian war
• Cons:Small hidden location
• In a nutshell:Washington's Lost Battle