Fort Frontenac

Fort Frontenac was built in 1673 on the site of the Indian town of Cataraqui, at the eastern end of Lake Ontario. The French had built Fort Frontenac to guard the St. Lawrence River route to the Interior. It was a strong looking place, made largely of stone, but it was brittle, and badly built, and it shivered every time a cannon in it was fired. There were 60 odd cannon in the place, and 16 mortars of different calibers. The garrison of the fort consisted of 110 men. Fort Frontenac, was the key to the west, and feeder of the Ohio country. It was crammed with vast supplies of  provisions, food stores, and ammunition for the French Troops in the Ohio forts.  Also there was an immense quantity of  furs for the European market.

Soon after the destruction of Fort Frontenac, came abandonment of Fort Duquesne to General Forbes, a French defeat somewhat traceable to destruction at Fort Frontenac of stores intended for the Pennsylvania fortress.

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