As the great European nations of France and Britain reached out to extend their empires into North America, no waterways played a more important role than the Saint Lawrence, Richelieu, Lake Champlain and Lake George corridors. From 1609 through 1814, Lake Champlain and Lake George, together with the great rivers they flowed into, were the scene of contests and conflicts the likes of which have seldom been seen in civilized lands.

The very names of these lakes reflect something of the heritage of the area. Champlain- named for and by the French explorer who 'discovered' it. And George- given the name of the monarch of Great Britain.

These two nations would wage almost constant war on the waterways during the first half of the 18th Century. Major fortresses were built, and terrible battles were fought as these European nations tried to assert their sovereignty over the North American continent.