Man Discovers a Pre-Revolutionary War-Era Fort Inside His House

Inside an old plantation house, he uncovered a Revolutionary War fort, a find that connects directly to the early days of the United States.

“We closed on the place and literally drove the mile down the road, and I took a crowbar to it like 10 minutes later,” Bryan said, describing his eagerness to confirm his suspicions about the house’s historical significance.

This find was a significant historical revelation, providing a tangible connection to the nation’s formative period.

His posts, filled with photos of the house’s transformation, captivated thousands of online followers, attracting widespread interest and engagement.

Bryan’s dedication to uncovering and restoring these historical elements transformed the modern home back into a piece of living history, showcasing the craftsmanship and materials of the Revolutionary era.

These items, ranging from a Civil War-era dress to a family photo in a gilded frame, offered a glimpse into the lives of the families who had inhabited the home across centuries, preserving their legacy and connecting the present with the past.

The Daily Mail notes that these items belonged to the father of the house’s last occupant.

Comments ranged from expressions of amazement to gratitude for the opportunity to experience a unique historical journey through his posts. One user commented: “What a treasure trove of great finds, along with a lot of painstaking work.” Meanwhile, another said, “Thank you for letting us all go back in time.”

The New York Post notes that while his YouTube channel’s success had previously slowed progress, the public’s enthusiasm inspired him to continue working on the property, with the goal of eventually opening it to visitors.

Bryan emphasized its uniqueness to The Daily Mail, saying, “Most, if not all, are nothing but stains in the ground … this one, you can see and touch all the original architectural features that nobody living has ever seen.”

This battle was a pivotal moment that allowed local settlers to consider their future in what would become the Revolutionary War.

This event was a tragic moment in the history of West Virginia settlers that resulted in a vow for a strategic and tough approach to defense and settlement.

This drastic action left the valley deserted for seven years, showcasing the profound impact of the attack on the settlers’ willingness to return and rebuild, which led  to the eventual establishment of Byrnside Fort.

Bryan described the discovery of the stockade as an ‘ah ha moment,’ highlighting the architectural integration of the house itself into the fort’s wall, likening it to a castle.

“They would go out during the day under armed guard and farm, harvest their crops, do whatever they need to do and then come back to the fort to live communally at night,” Bryan explained.

Described by Thomas Jefferson as “a great and notorious villain, obnoxious to everybody near him,” Byrnside’s personal life and decisions left a complex legacy, including leaving his family to live with another woman.

Bierne was a wealthy local man who was buying large areas of surrounding plantations.

His management of the plantation to provide supplies like bulk corn, beef, hay, and pork was documented in receipts found in the National Archive, totaling payments of $23,325.71, equivalent to more than $450,000 today.

This period added to the fort’s layered history, as the family preserved its legacy and the belongings of its residents, offering a glimpse into the life and times of its inhabitants across generations.

“Much of their belongings remain in the home today,” stated Bryan, noting the importance of maintaining historical artifacts and the personal stories they tell.

 “I was never going to live there. I just bought it for the historical significance and to save it,” he said, reflecting a dedication to safeguarding the fort’s legacy for future generations to appreciate and learn from.

“It tells the story of America,” Bryan noted, emphasizing how the fort and its various inhabitants reflect the broader story of American development from the pre-Revolutionary War era through to the present day.

This process also led to the discovery of numerous artifacts, each telling a story of the house’s past occupants.

His passion for pre-Revolutionary War history led him to pursue other historical sites as well. “Tracking down the old forts can be very difficult,” he told The Daily Mail. “Some of them are known, some of them are unknown. And you have to do some investigation work, look at the old handwritten deeds, and compare sources and metal detectors to actually locate sites.”