The old fort was built as a windmill. In the 1790s there was no mill for grinding grain in Cornwall and pioneers had to transport their wheat to Gananoque. It was never used as a fort, although it served as an ideal garrison. Troops were stationed there during the stirring days of 1812 and again in 1876. The fort was located on the hill north of Montreal Road and east of Courtaulds (Canada) Ltd. Eventually Cornwall’s rapid expansion grew out to the old fort but past and around it. The National Historic Committee declined to take over and maintain the fort. The township felt maintenance costs were too high. The fort was often used as a playground for children and there was a constant danger of falling stones. The old fort was deeded to the Township of Cornwall several years ago by its owner, the late Miss Bertha Colquhoun. The old fort was finally dismantled in November 1944.