2. Fort Ticonderoga (New York)
Perched dramatically on the shores of Lake Champlain, Fort Ticonderoga was fiercely contested during both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. Its capture by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold in 1775 was a morale-boosting victory for the patriots. Despite its significance, Ticonderoga is often overshadowed by later sites like Yorktown and Saratoga. Yet, its commanding position once controlled a vital corridor between Canada and the Hudson Valley, making it a linchpin in colonial defense and an enduring symbol of early American resolve.
