After Americans took control of Fort Mackinac, they strengthened the stone ravelin, which became the main northern wall. Between 1798 and 1800, soldiers also constructed blockhouses to better defend the post. Built on the old British bastions, the North and East Blockhouses were defensive strong points where soldiers could fire muskets and cannons through small loopholes and larger portholes. The buildings could also serve as barracks, with living space on the first floor. During the War of 1812, these American defenses proved useless when British soldiers surprised and captured Fort Mackinac without firing a shot on July 17, 1812. Following the war, Fort Mackinac lost much of its military importance, and soldiers used many of the old defensive elements for other purposes. The East Blockhouse became quarters for married soldiers, and later storage space for ordnance supplies.