 However, a "wild west" style fort was built instead of a more historically accurate French mission.It is believed this is due to a passing reference to a "French fort" that a French war expedition, led by Louis de Buade de Frontenac, had built in 1696 on the shore of Onondaga Lake.This "fort" was just an encampment of tents with a small palisade around it and was only occupied for about two weeks.