Fort Brady
Encyclopedia
Colonel Hugh Brady
established Fort Brady at Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan Territory in 1822 to guard against British incursions from Canada.
The garrison at the fort protected exclusive American sovereignty over the northern frontier. Despite several treaties with the British clearly establishing American sovereignty over Michigan Territory
, British forces made occasional to frequent incursions from Canada
until the American military presence counteracted their influence over the region. To enhance actual American control of the northwestern frontier against these incursions, especially in the wake of the War of 1812
against the British, the War Department
decided to establish several forts along the Great Lakes
. In 1820, Lewis Cass
, governor of Michigan Territory, negotiated the cession of sixteen square miles along the Saint Mary's River (connecting Lake Superior
with Lake Huron
) from the Chippewa Nation. In summer 1822, Colonel Hugh Brady
led a garrison to construct and occupy this fort.
The success of Colonel Hugh Brady
at this mission earned him a promotion to brigadier general. Army Meteorological Register summarizes weather observations that the Post Surgeon took from 1823. The fort featured a large garden, a cemetery, and large stores of wood for heating during the brutal Michigan winters. The soldiers interacted with the townspeople of Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. No further armed conflict against the British ultimately occurred in the region, and the Army ultimately abandoned the original Fort Brady.
The Army established a second Fort Brady nearby in 1866. Protection of state locks and canals formed the center of its mission.
The Army later established a third New Fort Brady in 1893 at nearby but different location. Two thousand troops passed through the fort for training during the Spanish-American War
of 1898. During World War II
, twenty thousand troops lived at Fort Brady, necessitating various temporary and not-so-temporary construction of habitations and facilities.
In 1944, even before the end of World War II, however, the Army decided to close the fort as surplus. The Army gave this fort to the state in 1946 for a new campus of a state University, now Lake Superior State University
.
Hugh Brady
Hugh Brady was an American general from Pennsylvania. He served in the Northwest Indian War under General Anthony Wayne, and during the War of 1812. Following the War of 1812, Brady remained in the military, eventually rising to the rank of major general and taking command of the garrison at Detroit...
established Fort Brady at Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan Territory in 1822 to guard against British incursions from Canada.
The garrison at the fort protected exclusive American sovereignty over the northern frontier. Despite several treaties with the British clearly establishing American sovereignty over Michigan Territory
Michigan Territory
The Territory of Michigan was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 30, 1805, until January 26, 1837, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Michigan...
, British forces made occasional to frequent incursions from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
until the American military presence counteracted their influence over the region. To enhance actual American control of the northwestern frontier against these incursions, especially in the wake of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
against the British, the War Department
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
decided to establish several forts along the Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
. In 1820, Lewis Cass
Lewis Cass
Lewis Cass was an American military officer and politician. During his long political career, Cass served as a governor of the Michigan Territory, an American ambassador, a U.S. Senator representing Michigan, and co-founder as well as first Masonic Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan...
, governor of Michigan Territory, negotiated the cession of sixteen square miles along the Saint Mary's River (connecting Lake Superior
Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest of the five traditionally-demarcated Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded to the north by the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of Minnesota, and to the south by the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Michigan. It is the largest freshwater lake in the...
with Lake Huron
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Hydrologically, it comprises the larger portion of Lake Michigan-Huron. It is bounded on the east by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan in the United States...
) from the Chippewa Nation. In summer 1822, Colonel Hugh Brady
Hugh Brady
Hugh Brady was an American general from Pennsylvania. He served in the Northwest Indian War under General Anthony Wayne, and during the War of 1812. Following the War of 1812, Brady remained in the military, eventually rising to the rank of major general and taking command of the garrison at Detroit...
led a garrison to construct and occupy this fort.
The success of Colonel Hugh Brady
Hugh Brady
Hugh Brady was an American general from Pennsylvania. He served in the Northwest Indian War under General Anthony Wayne, and during the War of 1812. Following the War of 1812, Brady remained in the military, eventually rising to the rank of major general and taking command of the garrison at Detroit...
at this mission earned him a promotion to brigadier general. Army Meteorological Register summarizes weather observations that the Post Surgeon took from 1823. The fort featured a large garden, a cemetery, and large stores of wood for heating during the brutal Michigan winters. The soldiers interacted with the townspeople of Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. No further armed conflict against the British ultimately occurred in the region, and the Army ultimately abandoned the original Fort Brady.
The Army established a second Fort Brady nearby in 1866. Protection of state locks and canals formed the center of its mission.
The Army later established a third New Fort Brady in 1893 at nearby but different location. Two thousand troops passed through the fort for training during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
of 1898. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, twenty thousand troops lived at Fort Brady, necessitating various temporary and not-so-temporary construction of habitations and facilities.
In 1944, even before the end of World War II, however, the Army decided to close the fort as surplus. The Army gave this fort to the state in 1946 for a new campus of a state University, now Lake Superior State University
Lake Superior State University
Lake Superior State University is a small public university in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It is Michigan's smallest public university with an enrollment around 3,000 students. Due to its proximity to the border, notably the twin city of Sault Ste...
.