Aloha to Kaua'i - Fort Elisabeth and Waimea River!

Kaua'i has the unique distinction of hosting the US's only Russian Fort!   From the Russian History Blog (at this link),


Understanding the fort begins with the role of Georg Anton Schaeffer, a German in the Russian American Company’s employ. When he arrived in Kauai in 1815 on a recovery mission for the Company, he took advantage of Kauai’s precarious position in the island chain to negotiate with its king, Kaumualii, a favorable agreement with Russia and the Company. After that, Schaeffer supervised the constructions of the forts on Kauai, the largest of which was Fort Elizabeth, with its strategic position on Kauai’s southern coast. Despite Schaeffer’s ambitions, when news of the project reached the American office of the Company on Sitka, he was recalled and the deal was abandoned. With both British and American interests in Hawai‘i, much less the strength of Kamehameha and the weak position of Kaumualii, the Company could not afford a Hawaiian blunder like Schaeffer’s attempted annexation.

The fort is now a pile of volcanic rocks ...  

  

... that offers a panoramic view
of the Waimea River!

Do you any unusual history in your home town?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, July 14, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 15.


Mahalao,


Kim in Hawaii

Waimea also welcomed Captain Cook in 1778, making him the first European contact with the Hawaiian islands.