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Fort Hess
1777
2 1/4 miles north of Fort Plain
(north side of Mohawk River)
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This was the fortified home of militia Captain Johannes Hess. The fort was built in 1777 and the underground powder magazine is still in existence. The fort was fired on by Sir John Johnson’s forces in October 1780. Currently the property is privately owned, and not open to the public.
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| Powder Magazine |
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| Fort Hess |
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| Rufus Grider completed this artist rendering of the fortified home and blockhouse in 1887. According to eye witness accounts, the western end of the structure was built against a hillside which completely obscured the ground story wall. A second floor exit allowed for quick access to the hill top blockhouse which stood adjacent to the main house.
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The stone structure seen in this view of Fort Hess is actually the Johannes Bellinger house. The two adjacent farms (Bellinger and Hess) were misidentified when Rufus Grider made these watercolor prints in 1887. The Hess home was located to the right of the blockhouse just out of view in this picture.
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| Bellinger House |
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