Blockhouse Notes (1 Viewer)

[Fraxinus]

I am unsure, but think most of the pioneer "forts" had 2 rows of timbers in the palisades, sometimes 1, but usually 2. The second row timbers placed in in the saddles of the first. Makes the construction much easier in many ways.

If a palisade was part of the blockhouse design, the blockhouse overhangs were extended another foot only on those wall with a palisade, a 3- foot overhang, allowing the blockhouse to view and "protect" the adjacent palisade walls. Two blockhouses in diagonal corners was kinda the "perfect" setup - all 4 walls can be protected. Unsure about when these features became standard, but think I remember reading about this set-up being common in Indiana at least.

 

[Fraxinus]

As a clarification, interior to the fort itself, the 2nd floor of the blockhouse walls had a 2-foot overhang, while the exterior walls of the blockhouse had a wider 3-foot overhang.

I think without the palisade, the overhangs would be similar in width, 2-foot.

The blockhouses were built to protect the palisades, no blind spots. These guys were not dumb!!

 

[Fraxinus]

No floor slits/openings on the second floor of the blockhouse?? Would have been a great pioneer figure and really the central focus of the overhang. Did I miss something in the photos?