National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Fort Necessity National BattlefieldEducation program at Fort Necessity
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
History & Culture
 

The Fort Necessity Story
The confrontation at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the prelude to the war fought by England and France for control of the North American continent. The struggle was known in North America as the French and Indian War and spread around the world as the Seven Years' War. It ended in 1763 with the removal of French power from North America and India. The action at Fort Necessity was also the first major event in the military career of George Washington. It was the only time he ever surrendered to an enemy.

more about Fort Necessity...


The National Road
By early in the 19th century, the wilderness of the Ohio country had given way to settlement. The road Washington cut through the forest was replaced by the National Road. The road passed by Fort Necessity and bustled with traffic heading from port to plains and plains to port.

The Mount Washington Tavern was built near Fort Necessity as a stagecoach stop on the National Road. Today it is a museum dealing with life along the Road.

more about the National Road...

Officer inspecting militia
The Fort Necessity Story
history of the Fort Necessity campaign
more...
National Road map
The National Road Story
history of the first federally funded highway
more...
Indians and British Soldiers  

Did You Know?
The Delaware warrior Shingas initially wanted to fight with the British. He asked British Gen. Braddock if the Indians could live on the land after the French were defeated. Braddock said no Indians will own the land. Shingas got so angry he went to fight with the French.

Last Updated: July 25, 2006 at 00:31 EST