Indians burned the township of Saco in 1688, and Fort Saco was built in 1693 on the future site of the Laconia Mills to protect the settlers. Yo Cat Gully to the north and the Saco River to the east protected the fort, while farther north stood Ram-Cat Hill, the future site of the Pepperell Mills. Opposite the fort on Factory Island, walls built by the French and Indians while laying siege to the fort remained until 1800. Women dressing in their husbands' uniforms foiled at least one attack by making the fort appear well manned. The fort was abandoned about 1708, and Fort Mary at Hills Beach became the town's principal protection. The fort later served as stables during construction of the Laconia mills in 1841.