At the time the Fort House was built, it was one of a chain of fortresses. There were others in Dungannon, Ft. Blackmore, Rye Cove, Lebanon, Royal Oak (Marion), Bristol and Kingsport. The fort is all the more valuable to Southwest Virginia because it is the only one remaining today. Visitors will wonder why it was called a fort, since it is a small structure. On the second floor, over both the front and the back doors, there is a small port hole. In case of Indian attacks, the early settlers would shoot from these portholes which were placed over the doors in order to protect the most vulnerable part of the house. In addition to the port holes the house had two rooms downstairs and four upstairs. Each room could be barricaded during an Indian attack. The Indians had to break through all four barricades to get to the settlers. It was a dangerous time to live. Shawnee and Cherokee Indians roamed the area. When they were victors in a battle with the settlers the men and small children were often killed. Older children and women were marched to Cincinnati, Ohio where they were sold to the Canadian French as slaves.

     The Kilgore Fort was never actually attacked by Indians, but it was under siege at one time. And, according to a legend, Robert Kilgore had a dream one night of an Indian attack. He woke and went back to sleep. Again he dreamed of an attack and woke. This time he told his wife. For the third time he had the same dream. In the dream a horseman rode up to the house and told him that when he saw two cattle in the Copper Creek beside the house, the Indians would attack. In the morning when he rose and saw two cattle in the creek, he decided there might be something to his dream. He packed up the family and they left. While they were gone Indians did camp on the cliff above the fort. Supposedly, the dream saved the whole family.

     Paul Repass of Nicklesville and several other countians have been instrumental in restoring the Ft. House. In 1966 the home became a Historical Landmark. The Kilgore home has a rich and interesting history, to find out more about it, and to enjoy a day of entertainment, crafts, and fine art, make plans to attend the 1st Annual "Echoes From the Past" gathering on Sat., Sept. 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p. m.