Old Stone Barracks: Difference between revisions

{{RefimproveMore citations needed|date=October 2008}}

| location= [[Plattsburgh, New York|Plattsburgh]], [[New York (state)|New York]]

The "'''Old Stone Barracks'''" is the last remaining structure of a proposed [[quadrangle (architecture)|quadrangle]] of early [[U.S. Army]] [[barracks]] built at [[Plattsburgh]], [[New York (state)|New York]] in 1838. Of the four main buildings initially planned for the Plattsburgh post, only two were ever constructed, an officer's barracks and an enlisted barracks which formed an "L" shape. The buildings were utilized by the Army for nearly a century. The officer's barracksquarters, in which Lt. [[Ulysses S. Grant]] wasonce stationedstayed, atwas fortorn adown timeby whilethe serving[[U.S. asAir aForce]] youngduring Lieutenant,the waswinter damagedof by fire and torn down in 19641963. The remaining building, the {{convert|200|ft|m|singadj=on}} long, two story "Old Stone Barracks," which is entirely constructed of locally quarried [[limestone]], has beenremained mostly empty sinceafter the early 1960s and was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1971. In December 2010 the Barracks and more than 7 acres of property werewas offered to a Canadian real estate developer for $35,000 with the intention of building an apartment complex on the historic site. TheAt the time, the Barracks property iswas appraised at over $775,000 and the sale has sparked public outcry for its preservation.<ref>Press Republican, Feb. 20th 2010, Local Historical Community Fights to Preserve Stone Barracks</ref> In 2014, the building was again sold to current owners Terry Schmaltz and Mary Theresa Pearl who redeveloped it as the home of the "Valcour Brewing Company." The new craft [[brewery]] opened in 2016.<ref>Press Republican, Jan. 3, 2016, Valcour Brewing Co. taps into history</ref>

== BackgroundHistory ==

In the decades following the decisive British defeat at the [[Battle of Plattsburgh]] and the close of the [[War of 1812]], the United States Military still remained suspicious and wary of British Canada. Relations with [[England]] were not cordial following the war and the establishment of a permanent Army Post for a [[garrison]] at Plattsburgh, along the strategically important [[Lake Champlain]] corridor, which for centuries had been a route for invasion, seemed an obvious choice. Although troops had been stationed there from roughly 1812 to 1825, no permanent [[military installation]] had been constructed with the men often being housed in dilapidated and inadequate log structures left over from the War. This was especially apparent in view of the usually harsh North Country winters. In an October, 1838 letter to the [[Commanding General of the United States Army]], Major General [[Alexander Macomb (American general)|Alexander Macomb]], who had commanded at Plattsburgh during the 1814 Battle, Brigadier General [[Abraham Eustis]] outlined the poor condition of the soldier's quarters there:

<blockquote>"I take the liberty of calling to your attention the deficiency of Quarters for the troops at this station. You are already informed that there is scarcely a vestige of the old barracks remaining and that in consequence I have directed the six old storehouses on the public ground to be repaired and fitted for temporary barracks . . ."<ref>Old Stone Barracks Historic Structure Survey, United States Air Force, Department of Defence, 1994</ref></blockquote>

The establishment of a permanent Plattsburgh Barracks was also partly spurred on by the military buildup associated with the beginning of the 2nd [[Seminole War]] in 1835. The outbreak of the War had drawn nearly a quarter of the total strength of the Army to the War zone in [[Florida]]. This fact had blatantly demonstrated to lawmakers and military leaders alike that the standing peacetime strength of the United States Army was far too small to meet the nation's needs. In 1838, [[United States Congress|Congress]] raised the standing strength of the Army to 12,539 men and the need for housing for them ballooned overnight.

The innovative permanent Army post planned for Plattsburgh was initially to be four stone barracks structures positioned in a quadrangle around a {{convert|200|ft|m|singadj=on}} square parade ground and surrounded by a wooden [[palisade]] with a western facing gate. Construction began late in 1838 on a rise overlooking the lake about a mile outside of the village. The site selected for the post stood just to the south of the three remaining [[earthworks (engineering)|earthwork]] [[fortifications]] left over from the 1814 [[siege]], Fort Brown, Fort Moreau, and Fort Scott. These forts, which had been carefully laid out prior to the Battle, had been constructed under the direction of Major [[Joseph Totten]], an expert in military and tactical engineering of the period. Together with two smaller [[redoubt]]s which had been erected later, Fort Tompkins and Fort Gaines, the Plattsburgh fortifications formed a pentagon of interlocking [[cannon]] fire which could have protected the barracks from any hostile forces if the need arose.

By August, 1839, during the command of [[Benjamin Kendrick Pierce]],<ref> {{cite book |last= Seward |first= William H., et al. |date= 1839 |title= Documents of the Assembly of the State of New York, Volume 6 |url=httphttps://books.google.com/books?id=20sbAQAAIAAJ&pg=RA3-PA10&dq=%22b.+k.+pierce%22+plattsburgh&hlpg=en&sa=X&ei=jiUaVITRK8_GsQT544L4BQ&ved=0CB0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22b.%20k.%20pierce%22%20plattsburgh&f=falseRA3-PA10 |publisher= E. Croswell |page= 10 |accessdateaccess-date= September 17, 2014}}</ref> In March 1842 Pierce was promoted to permanent Lieutenant Colonel in the 1st Artillery Regiment.<ref>{{cite book |lastdisplay-authors= Tyler |first= John, et al. |date= 1887 |title= Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States, Volume 6 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=UXyIAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA90&dq=%22benjamin+k.+pierce%22+lieutenant+colonel+march+1842&hl=en&sa=X&ei=byYaVKyxIOXdsAStj4HICQ&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22benjamin%20k.%20pierce%22%20lieutenant%20colonel%20march%201842&f=false |publisher= U.S. Government Printing Office |page= 90 |accessdate= September 17, 2014etal}}</ref> stonework had commenced and the exterior walls of both the officer's and enlisted men's barracks had been erected. The main barracks buildings were built of native [[limestone]] which was quarried nearby at Bluff Point and transported to the site. The water filled [[quarry]] where the limestone was excavated is still visible today. After this initial burst of progress, however, the site experienced several periods of stagnant and altogether halted construction due in part to [[bureaucratic]] [[red tape]] from Washington. After numerous letters and solicitations were written to the [[Secretary of War]] by concerned Plattsburgh citizens, the Assistant [[Quartermaster General]] of the Army, Captain R. E. Clary was dispatched to oversee the construction project in September, 1841. Under Clary's supervision by September of the following year, it was reported to the Quartermaster General that the exterior work of the "company quarters" had been completed with the exception of the stone steps, portico floors, stairs leading to the upper level, and adjustment of the columns. Although reports claimed the buildings were nearing completion, the companies at Plattsburgh were still quartered in the old temporary wooden barracks through the winter of 1842-431842–43 as the appropriation made for completing the work had been nearly exhausted. It would be nearly another year before two of the four buildings were ultimately finished and could be occupied in October, 1843.

When finally completed, the enlisted men's barracks, which would later be called simply the "Old Stone Barracks," was finished with a very attractive and distinctive two story [[tuscan order|tuscan columned]] and corniced [[portico]] which runs the entire {{convert|200|ft|m|singadj=on}} length of the building and was covered with a [[skillion roof]]. Initially four external staircases along this portico allowed the only access to the second floor. One stairway for each of the four large second floor rooms which served as each Company's living quarters. The smaller and slightly more elaborate neighboring officer's barracks was also finished with a similar two story portico although on the opposite side of the structure facing Lake Champlain where officers could enjoy the panoramic view and breeze of Plattsburgh Bay. Future 18th [[President of the United States]] [[Ulysses S. Grant]] occupied quarters in the officer's barracks while stationed at Plattsburgh as a young Lieutenant sometime between his graduation from [[West Point]] in 1843 and prior to serving in the [[Mexican-AmericanMexican–American War|Mexican War]] in 1846.

The enlisted barracks originally contained 18 rooms, several of which on the first floor were utilized as a post [[hospital]], dispensary, Company office, Sergeant's room, Company kitchen, and [[mess hall]]. Four small storm-sheds and the hospital bathroom also extended off the first floor on the backside of the building. Many of the rooms were heated by individual coal stoves as well, providing a much appreciated measure of luxury for the soldiers during the winter months. Initially the western wall of the barracks was built of wood which would have allowed for an addition to be added to the structure later if the Army deemed it necessary. This never came to pass, however, and the temporary wooden wall was eventually finished in stone to match the rest of the facade. Within short order a host of smaller support buildings were erected at the post as well including a brick [[Gunpowder magazine|powder magazine]], post [[headquarters]], [[Warehouse|storehouse]], [[carpenter]]'s shop, [[icehouse (building)|icehouse]], [[guardhouse]] with an [[military prison|area]] for holding prisoners, and two deep [[water well|wells]] for drinking water.

The military presence in the [[Champlain Valley]] was further augmented just four years after the completion of the new Army post at Plattsburgh when construction was begun in 1844 on [[Fort Montgomery (Lake Champlain)|Fort Montgomery]] at nearby [[Rouses Point]], a massive masonry fortification mounting 125 guns which would guard the northernmost point of Lake Champlain. Fort Montgomery, by design, was never permanently garrisoned and it was assumed that if the need arose, troops from Plattsburgh could quickly be marched there to man the fortification. In May 1850, Major [[Thomas J. Jackson]], who would later be forever immortalized with the nickname "Stonewall," attended a [[court martial]] at Plattsburgh Barracks. While there he wrote his sister Laura Ann describing his surroundings:

"Plattsburg Barracks N.Y.

My health is still improving and in a short time I expect to return home to Fort Hamilton. In coming to this place I have passed some charming scenery. This place is on the Western bank of Lake Champlain. I should like very much to visit Montreal and Quebec before returning South, but want of time and money will prevent it. On my way here I saw the old Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point. And in front of this Garrison, was fought the great Naval action of the late war.}}

Your brother Thomas"<ref>Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson collection, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia</ref>}}

[[ImageFile:OldStoneBarracks1874.jpg|thumb|left|300px|An 1874 stereoview photo card depicting Battery G of the 5th U.S. Artillery drilling on the parade ground at Plattsburgh Barracks. Note the adjacent officer's quarters to the left which was demolished in 1964.]]

Various [[Infantry]] and [[Artillery]] units were stationed at Plattsburgh Barracks in spurts throughout the latter half of the 19th Centurycentury. Beginning in the early 1890s, a sprawling expansion program greatly enlarged the Army Post at Plattsburgh to the north with the construction of 3 much larger and more modern barracks, relegating the 1840 era structures to a much more secondary role. All of the old and long abandoned defensive fortifications still present, with the exception of Fort Brown, were leveled to form a mammoth {{convert|40|acre|m2|singadj=on}} parade ground known as the "U.S. Oval." In 1892 during the removal of Fort Moreau, which had been the central and largest of the three American forts during the Battle of Plattsburgh, numerous human remains, as many as 25 individuals, were unearthed which had been hurriedly buried either during or immediately following the siege. A similar situation occurred when Fort Scott was leveled, with some thirty or more skeletons being removed from that site as well. Cannon ballsCannonballs and other 1814 artifacts that were also recovered were purportedly sent by the Army to the [[Smithsonian Institution]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] All of the recovered skeletons were buried with full military honors in the nearby "old post cemetery" in a mass grave marked by a large monument dedicated to unknown dead of the War of 1812.

It was also during this period that the [[21st Infantry Regiment (United States)|21st Infantry]], known as the "President's Own," was stationed at Plattsburgh. Their nickname was bestowed upon them during their years at Plattsburgh by President [[William Mckinley]], who when frequently summering nearby at the luxurious Hotel Champlain, would often visit the Post to review the troops and attend performances by the unit's band. From their barracks here, the unit would be dispatched to see action in the [[Spanish-AmericanSpanish–American War]] in 1898, as well as the [[Philippine–American War]] the following year. Following its return from duty in Cuba, the [[15th Infantry Regiment (United States)|15th Infantry]] was stationed here from 1899 to 1902 prior to its deployment to China and the Philippines.

In 1899, the original interiors of the "Old Stone Barracks" were gutted and modernized to serve as a barracks for the Post Band which it remained until 1906. During the updating of the structure, two of the external staircases on the front portico were removed and several internal stairways were constructed. It is believed that during this period, the original skillion or "shed" style roof was replaced over the portico with the [[hip roof]] we see today. Also, off the backside of the building where the four storm-sheds and hospital bathroom were originally located, several small single and two story porches were built to allow more convenient access to rooms from that side.

Today theThe only structures which remain of the original 1840 era Army post are the barracks, its adjacent brick powder magazine, and the nearby "old post cemetery.". The original post parade ground is also still present. These structures represent one of the last remaining examples of the first generation of permanent U.S. Army barracks in existence in the United States. In 2007, a section of paved road which ran beside the barracks and followed the route of the original dirt road into the post compound through the palisade gate was removed by the City of Plattsburgh.

The "Old Stone Barracks" itself has changed little sincefollowing the departure of the Air Force in 1995, and remainsremaining boarded up and closed to the public. Thefor "Oldanother Stone20 Barracks"years. isThe building was often the target of [[vandalism]] and frequent break-ins, due in part to the many ghost stories which have circulated on the [[internet]] concerning thisthe building and its purported (and false) use as a "[[field hospital]]" during the Battle of Plattsburgh (24 years before the barracksBarracks was even built). Over the past several years, [[High-intensity discharge lamp|floodlightsFloodlights]] have beenwere added thatto illuminate the front and rear of the barracks at night, which has somewhat decreaseddecreasing the number of forced entries into the structure. Recently, however, many of the spindles which support the long railings of the barracks' signature two story portico, as many as 40 at last count, have been kicked out (as can be easily noted in the photo above of the barracks taken from the parade ground) and upon closer inspection, numerous large areas of rot and deterioration can be seen throughout the woodwork of the imposing structure.

In 2007, a section of paved road which ran beside the barracks and followed the route of the original dirt road into the post compound through the palisade gate was removed by the City of Plattsburgh. In December 2010, Itit became public knowledge that the Old Stone Barracks and over 7 acres of surrounding property had been offered to Bernard Schneider, a Canadian real estate developer, for $35,000.<ref>Press Republican, Dec. 17th 2010, Sale of Old Stone Barracks Pending</ref> TheAt the time, the property iswas appraised at over $775,000. News of the pending sale immediately sparked a public outcry and spurred a Facebook campaign entitled "Save the Old Stone Barracks." Details of the proposed development includeincluded the construction of ana large apartment complex on the historic property. Bowing to public pressure and involvement by the New York State Office of Historic Preservation, the project stalled and the Barracks was again offered for sale.

[[Category:FortsFormer ininstallations Newof Yorkthe United States Army]]

[[Category:ClosedForts installationson the National Register of theHistoric Places in UnitedNew StatesYork Army(state)]]

[[Category:BuildingsNational andRegister structuresof Historic Places in Clinton County, New York]]

[[Category:FortsBarracks on the National Register of Historic Places in New York]]