The Ticonderoga/Mt. Independence historic region is truly one of the most storied locations in American history. Long a site of Native American encampments and villages, the region was probably first visited by Europeans when Samuel de Champlain explored the lake in 1609. It is possible that his infamous battle with the Iroquois took place upon the Ticonderoga peninsula.   During the French and Indian War, countless incidents took place here as the region's strategic importance came to the fore as the start of the great Portage to Lake George and points south. Robert Rogers and his famous Rangers skirmished here, the stunning upset of Abercrombie's mighty army took place upon the Heights of Carillon and the mighty fortress of Carillon/Ticonderoga was built upon the rocky outcropping at the foot of Serpent a Sonnette, later to be known as Mt. Defiance.
Close-ups of old topographical maps showing the Ticonderoga/Mt. Independence region. The map on the left has been inverted for comparison with the aerial photo. Click on the thumbnails to see a larger image.
After the French were evicted from the region by the mighty legions of Jeffrey Amherst, Ticonderoga became a bastion of His Britannic Majesty. Then, once unrest in the colonies led to open rebellion, Ethan Allen, together with Benedict Arnold, captured the fortress at Ticonderoga for the united colonies. Soon, a massive new military complex was completed, comprising both the old fortifications on the western shore and the newly fortified peninsula on the eastern shore- soon named Mt. Independence.
Unfortunately for the Americans, early warnings about the necessity of arming the heights of Mt. Defiance went unheeded. General Burgoyne quickly noticed this fatal error and had cannon dragged to the summit of the mountain. Their position now untenable at best, the Americans were forced to evacuate Ticonderoga and Mt. Independence, fleeing south by land and up the lake towards Skenesborough. A gallant delaying action was fought at Hubbardton. | 
