Fort Klock is located in one of New York's most historic areas.  Easily accessible from New York Routes 5 and 5S  or New York State Thruway exit No. 29 at Canajoharie, New York.  From Exit 29 NYS Thruway, cross the Mohawk River to Route 5, proceed west for 9 miles.  Fort Klock is located 2 miles east of St. Johnsville on Route 5.    


     This Web Site is maintained by Fort Klock Historic Restoration an association composed of people dedicated to the continued restoration of Fort Klock.   Membership meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.  If you would like to join our little organization; information on becoming a member is on page 5 of this web site.  For more information on becoming a member call 518-568-7779.

     Owned by Fort Klock Historic Restoration, the largely original house has been restored and in 1973 was designated a National Historic Landmark, a site “of exceptional value in Commemorating or illustrating the history of the United States”.   For Klock is not state or federally owned.  The membership of Fort Klock Historic Restoration owns Fort Klock.  Our membership is  are made up of a group of ordinary citizens who have banded together to preserve this historic site.  Fort Klock is a non profit (501--C-3) organization.  An educational institution charted by the Board of Regents of the New York State Education Department.  Our primary goal is to preserve and accurately interpret our unique historic site. 

     Fort Klock is open Memorial Day through Columbus Day, Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.   We are closed on Mondays.  A small fee is charged for admission in the fortified farmhouse and guided tours are available.  No admission is charged to enter the Fort Klock Trade Room.  Groups wishing to use the picnic ground and/or arrange large group tours are asked to schedule their use ahead of time by calling 518-568-7779.  

     Fort Klock is located about one mile east of St. Johnsville, N.Y., on Route 5 and sets on about 30 acres of land.   Fort Klock, the nucleus of the restoration, is a fortified farm homestead and fur trading post.  Erected by Johannes Klock in 1750 from native limestone, used as a place of refuge during the French and Indian War and later during the American Revolution.    The site was well chosen by Johannes Klock both for its advantages of fur trading and for defense.  A sheltered cove along the riverbank provided safe anchorage for trading bateaux that plied the river.   The massive stonewalls, nearly two feet thick, rest on a foundation of solid rock.  The walls are constructed in two layers filled with rubble, a crude form of insulation against the winter’s cold.  From the stone floor in the cellar there still bubbles a spring, which provided a constant supply of fresh water to the occupants without exposing them to outside danger.  The walls are heavily loop holed on every side of the house so that muskets could be fired from the inside.  
    
     Other buildings of the restoration include the Fort Klock Country School, completely restored and furnished as an example of a nearly-vanished American institution, a Blacksmith shop and a Colonial Dutch Barn.   

Links to Other Sites

http://www.palatinesettlementsociety.org/
http://cherryvalleymuseum.com/
http://fortklock.com
www.klockconnections.com
www.fort-plank.com 
http://szt-genealogy.org
www.revolutionaryday.com/nyroute5/ftklock/default.htm
www.historystarproductions.com/blog/fort-klock-a-timeless-piece-of-american-history