The New York Independence Trail is an historic corridor extending along eastern New York between New York City and the Canadian border offering a self-guided auto tour of the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War sites encompassing forts, battlefields, historic homes, museums, monuments, cemeteries, government buildings, and bodies of water. Some sites may be represented by only a sign; nevertheless, each location contributes to the significance of reliving the birth of our nation.
The trail can be accessed from any point along the way or may be visited in its entirety. Of all the 43 sites, the following represent those in the general Lake George Region.
Birthplace of the US Navy
Under Benedict Arnold, our country’s first warships were built here.
Whitehall, NY (518) 499-2292
Bloody Pond
The pond of water turned bloody red from the massacre of French troops in 1755.
Queensbury, NY (518) 761-6366 ext. 5100
Crown Point Historic Site
French Canadian fortification containing the ruins of Fort St. Frederic, constructed in 1734, as a stronghold against the British, Fort Crown Point, built by the British in 1759, was the military installation guarding the British Colonies.
Crown Point, NY (800) 447-5224
Fort George & Battlefield Park
The site of warfare between the Algonquin and Iroquois Indian tribes and between England and American colonies during the Revolution. The monument of General William Johnson and Mohawk King Hendrick, together discussing war strategy before defeating the French in 1775.
Lake George, NY (518) 668-5755
Fort Ticonderoga
A stone fortress overlooking Lake Champlain, it was the site for numerous battles during the French & Indian War and Revolutionary War.
Ticonderoga, NY (518) 585-2821
Fort William Henry
A log fortress built in 1755 during the French and Indian War to block the French military advances from Canada. It also served as a northern defense for the colony of New York.
Lake George, NY (518) 668-5471
Half-Way Brook
Serving as a conduit between New York City and Canada, this location was also an important link between Lake George and Fort Edward. Two massacres are also cited here.
Queensbury (518) 761-6366 ext. 5100
Knox Trail
Henry Knox transported 60 tons of armaments from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston, MA with his men where General Washington laid seige to the British- occupied city.
Lake George, NY (518) 761-6366, ext. 5100
Old Fort House Museum
As one of the oldest frame structures in upstate New York, it was used as headquarters for both British and American generals in the Revolutionary War.
Fort Edward, NY (518) 747-9600
Parks-Bentley House
A Revolutionary War veteran, Daniel Parks contributed greatly to the economy of the town.
South Glens Falls, NY (518) 745-7741
Revolutionary War Cemetery
Over 100 Revolutionary War soldiers are buried here.
Salem, NY (518) 854-9296
Rogers Island
During the French & Indian War, this island on the Hudson River, housed British barracks and a patriot garrison during the Revolutionary War.
Saratoga National Historical Park
The Battle of Saratoga ranks among one of the most decisive battles in world history and is deemed as the “turning point of the American Revolution.”
Stillwater, NY (518) 664-9821
The Saratoga Monument
The 155 foot tall monument commemorates British General John Burgoyne’s surrender to American forces General Horatio Gates on October 17,1777. Part of the Saratoga National Historical Park.
Victory, NY (518) 664-9821
Shuyler House
Was the home of Revolutionary War General Philip Schuyler, Commander of the North American Army until August 1777.
Schuyler, NY (518) 664-9821
