Northwest Pennsylvania

Last Update: 23/FEBRUARY/2008

Compiled by Pete Payette - Š2008 American Forts Network

Fort Presque Isle
(1753 - 1763), Erie
The French fort (also known as Fort de la Presqu' Île du Lac Erie) was abandoned and burned in 1759. It was a 120-foot square stockade with four log buildings forming the walls, with a stone magazine. The British rebuilt the fort in 1760 at or near the same site, and it was burned by Pontiac in 1763. Marker located at Sixth and Parade Streets.

Fort Wayne
(1795 - unknown), Erie
The current blockhouse is a reconstruction, located at the foot of Ash Street, near the site of the earlier British and French forts (see above). General Anthony Wayne died here in December 1796.

Fort Armstrong (3)
(1814 - 1816), Erie
A two-story blockhouse with five guns, located on Garrison Hill. It was dismantled after the war. Site now the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home.

A second blockhouse (1813 - 1814) was constructed on Presque Isle Point.

Camp Wayne (2)
(1861), Erie
A Civil War training camp.

Fort le Boeuf
(1753 - 1763, 1794 - 1814), Waterford
This French fort (also known as Fort de la Rivičre aux Boeufs) was a log stockade with four bastions, with barracks along the sides, and a guardhouse, chapel, infirmary, and storehouse in the bastions. George Washington was sent here in 1753 by Virginia to demand the removal of French forces in the area. The French and Indian War was soon to follow. Abandoned and burned in 1759. The British built a new blockhouse near the site in 1760. It was burned by Pontiac in 1763. No remains. The Fort Le Boeuf Museum, operated by Edinboro University, is located on High Street, near the original site. The Judson House (1820) is adjacent to the museum, and also partially on the fort site. A model of the fort is on display at the Fort LeBoeuf Middle School.

The Americans built an unnamed stockaded blockhouse here in 1794. Its foundation is located across the street from the Fort Le Boeuf Museum. Rebuilt (or a new post ?) in 1797, which was used until 1814. British POW's were held here following the naval Battle of Lake Erie (Sept. 1813).

Indian Head Blockhouse
(1794 - 1795), Indian Head
An unnamed PA state militia blockhouse was built here at the confluence of French Creek and Le Boeuf Creek.

David Mead's Blockhouse
(1794 - 1795), Meadville
A settlers' two-story blockhouse. Site located near Water Street and Steer's Alley. Became a school after 1796. The settlement was founded in 1788. State militia troops were posted here in the winter of 1792. This area was originally the Delaware Indian town Cussewago.

Fort Venango
(1760 - 1763), Franklin
This British fort was built near the site of the earlier abandoned French fort. It was captured and burned down by Pontiac in 1763. The apparently friendly Indians were playing lacrosse outside the fort when they chased an errant ball that went inside. A stone monument for the British fort is located at 8th and Elk Streets.

Previously here was French Fort Machault (1755 - 1759), originally a small redoubt, later a partially palisaded square with four bastions, enclosing log barracks. It replaced French Fort d'Anjou (1754), which was never finished. A stone monument for the French fort is located at 616 Elk Street.

Before the French came this site was a British fortified trading post and Delaware Indian village called Venango or John Fraser's Post (1) (1741 - 1753). Fraser did not leave in 1749 when the French under Céloron attempted to evict him. However, he did relocate in 1753.

Fort Franklin (3)
(1787 - 1799), Franklin
A Federal 100-foot square bastioned stockade and blockhouse, with outworks, located along French Creek on present-day Tenth Street, built to protect area settlers. The post was relocated and rebuilt in 1796 at the mouth of the creek. The new work then became popularly known as the Old Garrison, in reference to the old French and British fort sites. This new post later became the county jail from 1805 - 1819. The actual site of the "Old Garrison" has been eroded away.

A Patriot fort was authorized in 1779, but was never built.

Fort Armstrong (2)
(1779), Kittanning
A Pennsylvania state militia stockaded fort. Site located just south of town on the Allegheny River at Riverfront Park, at the old Delaware Indian village site of Kittanning (Attiqué) (1727 - 1756). A stone monument (1926) is located at Water and Market Streets.

Settler Forts of Armstrong County
(1790's), various locations
James Claypoole's Blockhouse (1791 - ?), Manor Township just above Ford City, nearly across from Fort Armstrong (2).
William Green's Blockhouse (1791 - ?), Rosston, also known as Fort Green, built by the PA state militia, with barracks. Site probably on Lot 22.
Nicholson Run Blockhouse (1791 - ?), McVille, at the mouth of Nicholson Run.
Freeport Blockhouse (1793 - ?), Freeport, a fortified gristmill and blockhouse located near Water Street below Fifth Street. Also known as Buffalo Creek Blockhouse. Used by the PA state militia.
William Clark's Blockhouse (1790 - ?), Plum Creek Township, at the mouth of Plum Creek near Elderton.

Settler Forts of Indiana County and/or
(1780's - 1790's), various locations
Andrew Allison's Fort (1790 ? - ?), Two Lick
Black Legs Creek Blockhouse (1780 - ?), near Clarksburg, at forks of Black Legs Creek. Built and used by the PA state militia.
Robert Elder's Blockhouse (1786 - ?), Young Township, near Elder's Ridge. A log house used for defense.
David Inyard's Blockhouse (1780's), West Wheatfield Township, about five miles from Fort Palmer in Westmoreland County (see page 6). Blockhouse was 50 by 16 feet.
Joseph McCartney's Blockhouse (1782 - ?), Buffington Township, at "Benson Hill" (location ?).
McConaughy's Blockhouse (1780's), Center Township, near Graceton near the confluence of Two Lick Creek and Cherry Run. Built by James Simpson and John White and his brother.
Fergus Moorehead's Fort (1781 - 1790's), Armstrong Township, near Watts (or Watts Hill ?), a small stone blockhouse now covered in concrete. Still in use in 1794.
David Peelor's Blockhouse (1780's - 1791), Armstrong Township, attacked and destroyed by Indians, killing Peelor.
Robert Robinson's Blockhouse (2) (1781 - ?), Conemaugh Township, near Lick Run (location ?) on the north bank of the Kiskiminetas River. A two-story log structure with no doors or windows, only entrance through puncheon floor.
Simpson's Blockhouse (1780's), near Blairsville, built by brothers James and Andrew Simpson. James moved to McConaughy's place (see below) after Andrew was killed by Indians.
John Thompson's Blockhouse (1790 - 1801), Rayne Township, on Crooked Creek. Stockade was 80 by 30 feet, 10 feet high, removed in 1801. Original name unknown, as Thompson only acquired the property in 1801. Blockhouse was torn down in 1807.

Of interest in the area is Naeskahoni Town, a recreated Delaware Indian village of the 1740's - 1760's period, located at 715 Marshall Heights Road in Black Lick.

Big Beaver Blockhouse
(1788 - 1793), New Brighton
A Federal blockhouse located at present-day Main and Third Streets.

Fort McIntosh (park)
(1778 - 1791, 1813 - 1814), Beaver
A substantial 50-yard square stockade with bastions, armed with one gun. Site located on River Road near Bank, Insurance, and Market Streets. Briefly abandoned in 1783. The "Treaty of Fort McIntosh" was signed here in January 1785. This was also the site of a Federal post or supply depot in 1813. To the north in Darlington on Market Street is the Greersburgh Academy, which has a museum on the history of Fort McIntosh.

The town was originally the site of the Delaware Indian village of Sawcunk or King Beaver's Town. A French trading post (1750's) was once located here.

Gibson's Post
(1760's), Legionville
A British trading post, also called Old Town Post. The Delaware Indian village of Logstown or Chininqué (1725 - 1758) was previously located here. The British had an earlier trading post here in 1749, which the French under Capt. Pierre-Joseph Céloron tried to evict in 1749. A stone monument (1932) for Logstown is located on Duss Ave..

The French originally planned to build a fort at Logstown in 1753, but moved instead upriver to the Forks of the Ohio when news arrived that the Virginians were building their fort there (Trent's Fort) in 1754. The French did establish a trading post here in January 1754.

Camp Legionville
(1792 - 1793), Legionville
A winter encampment for General Wayne's Northwest Indian campaign. A stone monument marks the site.

NEED MORE INFO: Fort Hill Mountain near Robinson in Indiana County.

Special thanks to Jim Geisler for providing information on early settlement forts and blockhouses.

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