Fort Klock
Why it's listed
Fort Klock is a fieldstone house on a hillside near the north bank of the Mohawk River, east of St. Johnsville, New York. Johannes Klock built it in 1750 as a fortified frontier residence and fur trading post, replacing an earlier dwelling on the site. The L-shaped, one-story building has two-foot-thick walls pierced with loopholes for muskets, and its cellar encloses a spring. During the War for Independence a log stockade was added, and neighbors gathered here when raids threatened. The nomination describes it as a fine surviving example of the fortified houses that protected Mohawk Valley settlers. On October 19, 1780, the Battle of Klock's Field was fought nearby between Sir John Johnson's and Joseph Brant's forces and pursuing American militia. The structure is largely original, though its chimneys and porch have been rebuilt. A restoration committee repaired it in the 1960s and opens it to summer visitors as a museum.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a rare and excellent example of a mid-18th century fur trading post and fortified stone house. It served as a place of refuge for Mohawk Valley settlers during the War for Independence. The Battle of Klock's Field, fought October 19, 1780, took place in the adjacent fields.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 72000859, listed November 28, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2 mi. E of St. Johnsville on NY 5, St. Johnsville |
|---|---|
| County | Montgomery County |
| Listed | November 28, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72000859 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1750, 1775-83 (18th Century) |
| Architect / builder | Johannes Klock (builder/original owner) |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Military |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated November 28, 1972 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Good condition; restored in the 1960s by the Fort Klock Restoration Committee and open to visitors as a museum during the summer season. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.98547, -74.64914 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 72000859.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5471434
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.