Construction of Fort Knox began in 1844 and was halted while still unfinished 25 years and $1 million later. The fort has never seen any military action. The largest of 133 total cannons fired a 315 pound shell 4,680 yards. The granite was quarried locally at Mt. Waldo. Fort Knox was named for the first Secretary of War, Major General Henry Knox, a resident of Thomaston.