Forty-Fort was built on this site in 1770 and was named for the first forty pioneers. It was enlarged in 1777 and protected the inhabitants when the British and Indians invaded the settlement in June 1778. From it, on July 3, 1778, the militia under Col. Zebulon Butler marched to the enemy. Defeat and the Massacre of Wyoming followed. It capitulated under Col. Nathan Denison on July 4, 1778.