Fort Necessity

We stopped at Mount Washington Tavern and Fort Necessity on our way back to Maryland.  The tavern is was a stage stop and inn located on the National Road which was the major highway connecting the western frontier with the east.  The tavern dates back to 1830 and sits on land once owned by George Washington.   http://www.scenicusa.net/071112.html

Mount Washington Tavern - On the National Road

Fort Necessity was hastily built by order of George Washington who in the summer of 1754 was leading a military expedition into the area to request the French to leave lands which were believed to be part of  British America.  The battle for Fort Necessity took place on July 3, 1754. It ended when George Washington surrendered to the French after a long day of fighting. The Battle at Fort Necessity is considered the opening battle of the French and Indian War which ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1763.  With this treaty Britain gained control of all lands east of the Mississippi River with the exception of New Orleans which remained under French control.  The fort has been recreated based on archaeological studies.  It is a small structure and rather unimpressive.  The poor location of the fort and surrounding trenches doomed Washington's forces who were easily defeated by the larger French and Indian force which attacked using the nearby forest as cover.

Fort Necessity - Small and Poorly Located