Sometimes you can overlook great historical places in your own backyard. One not to overlook is Fort Ticonderoga. I appreciated the history and spectacle that Fort Ticonderoga provided as a kid. But now I appreciate it even more. There's so much to see and do, it's definitely hard to squeeze it all into one day. And you learn so many great facts about the Fort that you never realized. Like the original name given to it by the French who started construction on the Fort in 1755 was Fort Carillon. Even the design of the Fort as a rectangle with diamond shaped projections was not done for aesthetic reasons but for practical military reasons. It allowed virtually ever part of the Fort's walls to be covered by crossfire. So if you're looking for a great historical day out with the family close to home, visit Fort Ticonderoga. I promise you won't be disappointed!