Near this site on the west bank of the Ogeechee River, Fort Argyle was built in 1733 to command one of the main passes by which enemy Indians had recently invaded South Carolina and to protect the settlers of Savannah from anticipated raids by Spaniards from Florida. The fort was named in honor of John, Duke of Argyle, a friend and patron of James Edward Oglethorpe, and Captain McPherson garrisoned it with a detachment of Rangers.