History of Fort George, in Road Town Tortola

British Virgin Islands is rich with historical places for foreigners and locals to discover. Time has crafted its lavish stories that brought to what BVI is now. One of the BVI’s historical places is the Fort George, found at northeast end of Road Town, Tortola above the Baugher’s Bay.

Fort George is a former colonial fort that is now a deteriorating building. It is said that the original Dutch settlers built it as a protection for the slave pens established in Port Purcell below. It is also said that the inhabitants of the original settlement were massacred in Baugher’s Bay in 1625.

Fort George that was named after King George III, have undergone its main fortification around 18^th century by the British in the era of the American war of independence as a part of the general upgrade of the fortifications of Road Town.

Fort George is a part of the tough and durable networks of fort for defense around Tortola. The other forts built for defense are the eponymous Road Town Fort (under what is now the site of the Boungainvillea clinic), Fort Burt above Road Reef on the south west side of the harbour, and Fort Charlotte set high above on Harrigan’s Hill.

Though Fort George is one of the most formidable buildings for defense built in the island, it did not actually engage to any combat after restoration by the British. The combination of the formidable martial defenses of Road Town, and relatively small strategic and economic importance of Tortola convinced both foreign colonial powers and privateers and pirates to focus on other targets within the region.

Today the Fort George is damaged by time and is now barely recognizable. And though it is featured in the British Virgin Island government’s promotional website, the relics of the Fort George lay on a private land and is not possibly accessible. The old Fort has now a house built in it, which is rented, and the only chance of getting near it is by a chance if the consideration of the tenants would agree.

History of Fort George, in Road Town Tortola