Its now-submerged site is approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of the town of Starbuck, and east of State Highway 261.
Fort Taylor was established in early August 1858 by Captain E. D. Keyes with a detachment of dragoons, during the Spokane – Coeur d'Alene – Paloos War.
This fort was only used for 6 weeks in 1858 by Colonel George Wright as his Snake River crossing point for his forces on 18 August 1858.
Colonel Edward Steptoe in the Battle of Pine Creek against the allied tribes of Spokanes, Coeur d'Alenes, Palouse, Cayuse, and Yakimas.
The site of Fort Taylor was submerged in 1968, with the filling of the new Lake Herbert G. West reservoir behind Lower Monumental Dam on the Snake River.