Fort Ethan Allen was a U.S. army installation in Vermont, named for American Revolutionary War figure Ethan Allen. First serving as a cavalry post in 1894, today it is the center of a designated national historic district straddling the town line between Colchester and Essex. Locally, it is known simply as "The Fort."
The fort was formerly home to units of the 10th Cavalry Regiment in the early 1900s, 1st Squadron, 3rd Cavalry from 1919 to 1941, the 7th Field Artillery, less 2nd Battalion from 1922 to 1940, the 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry from 1928 to 1931, the 2nd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery from 1933 to 1940, elements of 9th Quartermaster Regiment, and the 84th Quartermaster Battalion.
When the 10th Cavalry departed Vermont many of its members retired and remained in the area. As a result, many of their descendants still reside in Colchester, Winooski and Burlington.
The post was inactivated by the Army in 1944. Part of it was used to enlarge the campus of Saint Michael's College, parts of the post have been commercially developed, and part comprises Camp Johnson, the headquarters of the Vermont National Guard.
While there are some newer structures on the original post (notably college housing and Vermont Public Television), the original buildings are put to good use. Various businesses occupy what used to be horse barns; barracks have been converted to apartments, and the "Officers Row" houses are condominiums. An abandoned theater and church are often used for firefighting practice. The former base hospital is a nursing home. Despite all the activity, it is a quiet neighborhood with many families.
Famous quotes containing the word fort:
“The newspapers are the ruling power. Any other government is reduced to a few marines at Fort Independence. If a man neglects to read the Daily Times, government will go down on its knees to him, for this is the only treason these days.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)