Welcome to Fort Plain, NY

Fort Plain is located in Montgomery County, New York, and was built around the Otsquago Creek that enters the Mohawk River and Erie Canal from the southwest. The area around the Otsquago Creek was first settled by the Kanienʼkehá꞉ka, Mohawk “people of the flint.  The Kanienʼkehá꞉ka are a member of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. Villages in the area began being populated through the 17th and 18th centuries. During the Revolutionary War it was the site of a military post.

“We have a vibrant community with passionate residents and an up-and-coming downtown area that is ripe with possibility. We are excited and eager to help identify community assets and projects that will help our community become a better place to live, work, and play for all.”

The Village of Fort Plain, NY

The village of Fort Plain was established where the original Revolutionary War fort was built in 1776. During this time, there was fighting throughout the Mohawk Valley. This forced local women to defend themselves and the fort, dressed as men.

Historic Fort Plain

Casper Lipe settled the fort’s property around 1730 constructing a stone house overlooking a stream in the Palatine German tradition. On the high-plateau hilltop above these homes is the site of Revolutionary War Fort Plain, the northwest exterior blockhouse and the entire fortified hilltop complex. Evidence suggests a fort was originally constructed on the southeast corner of the hilltop during the first French & Indian War around 1740. It protected the local settlers as well as the Mohawk Indian Castle of “Canajohari” located on the adjacent Sand Hill.

The village has a number of sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Some include the Fort Plain Conservation Area, Fort Plain Historic District, and United States Post Office.

Explore Fort Plain

Click on the items below to go to additional resources.

  • Village of Fort Plain

    The Village of Fort Plain website with information on village government and services like, housing administrator, police and fire departments, and so much more.

    Police: 911 or non-emergency (518) 993-4271
    Fire: 911 or (518) 332-9670 

  • Fort Plain Central School

    Located in the historic Mohawk Valley between Albany and Utica, the Fort Plain Central School District is home to a dynamic community that is supportive of its schools.

    The district serves approximately 780 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Students in grades pre-K through 6 attend the Harry Hoag Elementary School, and students in grades 7-12 attend the Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School. The schools are located less than a half mile from each other in the village of Fort Plain.

  • Fort Plain Free Library

    Administered under a charter granted in 1894 by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York, the Fort Plain Free Library serves the community by providing a wide range of recreational and informational materials in a variety of formats. The library’s welcome center makes information about local history, current attractions, and sites of interest available to visitors and residents alike and additionally serves as a meeting and programming space.

  • Fort Plain Museum and Historical Park

    The Fort Plain Museum began operation in 1961 as the Fort Plain Restoration with an emphasis on rebuilding Revolutionary War Fort Plain. The Museum is located in the Village of Fort Plain and Town of Minden. The village of Fort Plain was originally named after the fort, an important military outpost in the Revolutionary War.

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