CLASSIC: Fort Blunder: The US Fort Mistakenly Built in Canada
Summary
Hosts Ben and Noel explore the story of Fort Blunder, a U.S. military fort accidentally built on Canadian soil due to mapping errors. They discuss the fort’s construction, its eventual abandonment, and its current status as a decaying historic site. Guest Jonathan Strickland joins for a segment debunking a false theory about Florida’s panhandle, revealing the complex geopolitical history behind its shape.
Topics discussed
Intro, ads, and episode theme: military blunders
Fort Montgomery: Construction on the wrong side of the border
The $5.5 million mistake and the Webster-Ashburton Treaty
Fort Blunder's decay, sale history, and current state
Preservation efforts and decaying historic sites in the US
Ads, Alamo visit, and historical preservation discussion
The Quister segment intro: Florida Panhandle mystery
The false scenario: A map error caused the Panhandle
The real history: Colonial treaties and border disputes
Outro, social media plugs, and final advertisements
Listen ad-free on Castria