Friends of the Clyde Blockhouse

The Geographical and Historical Dictionary of America and the West Indies, first published in 1786 and based on earlier sources, described Sodoms as “a settlement of Indians of the province and country of the Iroquees [sic]; where the English have a  fort and establishment, between the lake Ontario and the river Seneca.” The fort stood on a rise of ground on the north side of the river and near the mouth of Vanderbilt Creek. The site was selected because it commanded the river and guarded the trail to Lake Ontario. Vanderbilt Creek, known to the Indians as “Little Waters”, was a deep ravine which helped protect the approach to the fort. Originally the Clyde River was navigable for 12 miles from Seneca River to the Blockhouse; at this point, heavily-laden river boats known as “bateaux” had to carefully pole through the “swift rolling waters of the Clyde”. The elevation upon which the fort once stood was leveled, and the ravine filled, during construction of the railroad in the 1850’s. At that time, several hatchets were found at the site, with one later dated to 1690. The site of the Blockhouse appears on an 1858 map (right). The old blockhouse was described as being 2 stories in height, the upper overhanging the lower, with loopholes. This building was all that remained of the stockade fort built by the British during the French & Indian War. Blockhouse Park is the only Revolutionary War site in Wayne County. Used by outlaws after the war, it was burned by NYS militia in 1788.

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The replica blockhouse was constructed in 1975-76 as a Town of Galen bicentennial project. The blockhouse is located at the approximate site of the old fort and settlement, by the ditch that was once called Vanderbilt or Blockhouse Creek. The reconstruction is based on an historical description of the building. Tours can be arranged by contacting the Village Clerk’s Office at (315) 923-3971.

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Blockhouse Park is located at 99 East Genesee Street (NYS Route 31 / Bike Route 5)