Program

Legends & Lore®

Subject

Legend

Location

30 Show Park Rd, Oswego, NY 13126, USA

Lat/Long

43.464540, -76.506967

Grant Recipient

Friends of Fort Ontario

George Fikes was a British soldier who died at Fort Ontario on November 30, 1782.  In death, he is rumored to have become the “Post Ghost”, who appears when the garrison is in trouble, when provoked, or simply to stir up trouble. There have been legends around George Fikes at Fort Ontario for centuries. Many sentries over the years have reported interactions with Fikes, one of which was frightened so much that he ran away from his post and was court-martialed for doing so. Fikes is said to walk the ramparts and grounds at night with a red lantern. People have reported hearing music playing without explanation, seeing a light and shadowy figure in a window over a door, and observing a cold and dark light-absorbing apparition moving around the rooms of the officers’ quarters. Ghost hunts occur annually in hopes that he might make another appearance.