It was located strategically up the Saint John River and close to the native village of Fort Meductic for military purposes.

The fort was built during King William's War following the defeat of the capital of Acadia at Port Royal.

In 1691-1692, Governor of Acadia Joseph de Villebon built Fort Nashwaak at Nashwaaksis on the north side of the Saint John River at the mouth of the Nashwaak River.

From Fort Nashwaak, they executed numerous raids on the New England border with Acadia, aided by their Abenaki and other First Nations allies.

[1] After de Villebon's death in 1700 and a devastating flood, the fort was abandoned.