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Old Fort
History of Centre and Clinton Counties, John B Linn, 1883, page 411
"The Old Fort - This was situated on the elevation a little north of the present Old Fort Hotel, now kept by George P. Odenkirk, and on the site of the present frame dwelling. By the fort was a spring where, according to Hero Wade, Gen. Potter's body-servant, the general built a cabin when prospecting for lands in 1773. The fort was known as the upper fort, and was built in 1777, the stockade including the spring. It was kept as a tavern after the war by Stephen Smith, who was succeeded by John Benner, a relative of Gen. Philip Benner, in 1801. In 1825, when the turnpike was being made, J. &J. Potter built the present stone tavern by the turnpike. The first landlord of the latter was George Withington. He died July 13, 1830, and the hotel was kept for some years by his widow. In 1837, May 10, Capt. S. Hunter Wilson took possession of the Fort Hotel. Judge Wilson died in 1841, and was succeeded by Mr. McCoy. In front of the Fort Hotel were racing grounds, and it was much frequented by sportsmen, and much money changed hands there."
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