Fort West Hoosac, the westernmost blockhouse and stockade in Massachusetts, was built in 1756. The fort itself was a blockhouse, brought from Boston, with a palisade. By 1784 the fortification was in ruins except for the blockhouse. Fort Tompkins at that time included a red sandstone enclosure containing the 1663 blockhouse. Fort Tilton became operational in March 1856, consisting of a blockhouse and several storehouses. The blockhouse system required an enormous number of troops to garrison. A 24-pound howitzer was installed at the blockhouse on the bluff. Three original buildings are still standing, including the rare blockhouse of Mendenhall's Fort. The Major Rice blockhouse could be erected in six hours by six trained men. Settlers rushed from their cabins to the blockhouse. A blockhouse and storage structures were built at Gibraltar Point in 1794. The steel door to the blockhouse was sheltered by another piece of corrugated iron. It consisted of one silo-lift launcher, blockhouse, and associated equipment. The Seminole War-era blockhouse had been repaired and another two-story blockhouse built. The began firing into the woods, prompting townspeople to evacuate to the blockhouse.