Situated in a field near the location of the original town hall, the Buxton Powder House is one of only three surviving powder houses from the War of 1812 period in the state. It is a square, one-story brick structure with a hipped roof. The only door is placed on the east elevation and is attached with wrought iron hinges. The powder house was constructed in response to the breakout of the War of 1812, a conflict between the United States and Great Britain over what the U.S. saw as economic threats by Great Britain through the restriction of trade and interference with westward expansion. Great Britain was already involved in a conflict with Napoleon in Europe and, in the absence of available British soldiers, provided arms to some Native American tribes who sought to limit further westward settlement by the Americans. The Town of Buxton voted to construct a magazine for the storage of gunpowder, lead balls, flints, and other military supplies. The powder house illustrates the need for towns to take responsibility for defending themselves during the early nineteenth century.
Year Listed: 1976
For more information: https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID=2a69f622-7f2e-4d0c-9a81-455a0814f52e