Defending the Frontier: Pros & Cons of 1700s Forts

This week at Kelly Station, we complete a major milestone: a finished powder magazine, large enough to store 14 barrels of black powder—plenty to keep this homestead defended. But building this fortification got me thinking: just how practical were frontier forts? How many existed? Who built them—and why? In this episode, I dive deep into the history of palisade fortifications, from the speed and strategy behind their construction to their tactical strengths and glaring weaknesses. While fitting doors on our own fort, we explore historical choke points, emergency exits, and how early settlers withstood attacks in some of the harshest conditions imaginable.

We’ll look at infamous sieges like Fort Henry in 1782, where legends like Betty Zane ran powder through enemy lines under fire. From Jamestown to the post-Revolution Northwest Indian Wars, this episode blends hands-on homesteading with gripping history and real-world defense strategy. If you’ve ever wondered how the frontier was really held—or what it takes to secure your own homestead today—this one’s for you. Let’s get those doors on… just in case we’re under siege by sunset.

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📺 Featuring: Peter Kelly
🎥 Videography - Catherine Wolfe
Production & Editing: Catherine Wolfe

🎵 Music Courtesy Of: Richard Fortier and Al MacDonald
Mandolin instrumentals: Michael Righi
Violin music: Meghan Balogh
Guitar played by Koen Tholhuijsen. Music composed by Marcel La Haye
Full album: Mundo de Dialogo

Thumbnail and description: Shane Kelly

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