Fort Pitt (1)

Fort Pitt (1) (1761-1792) - First established in 1761 during the French & Indian War by British forces in present day Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Named after William Pitt, the Elder, 1st Earl of Chatham. Also known as Fort Dunmore. Abandoned in 1792.

French & Indian War (1754–1763)

Fort Pitt was built by the British between 1759 and 1761 during the French & Indian War. The fort was strategically located at the junction of the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River where they become the Ohio River. The French had previously built Fort Duquesne very close to the site of Fort Pitt but had destroyed it in 1758 to prevent capture by British forces.

Fort Pitt was built as a five pointed star fort with bastions at each corner surrounded by a wet moat. Inside the walls there were three enlisted barracks, two sets of officer's quarters and the magazines. Two of the bastions faced the Monongahela River and two faced the Allegheny River while the fifth faced the land side. Outside the fort walls was a small brick blockhouse or redoubt.

During Pontiac's Rebellion the western Delaware and Shawnee Indians laid siege to Fort Pitt on 22 Jun 1763, but could not overcome the defenders.

The fort was abandoned by the British in 1772 and turned over to Virginia colonists who claimed the area as Virginia territory. The Virginians named the fort after their governor, Lord Dunmore. Fort Dunmore played a significant role in Dunmore's War of 1774.

Revolutionary War (1775-1783)

Fort Pitt was the western headquarters for the colonials during the Revolutionary War. Operations against the British and their Indian allies continued throughout the war.

Fort Pitt was abandoned in 1792. The replacement was new Fort Fayette in downtown Pittsburgh.

Current Status

Now Point State Park, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. This park is under renovation but the Fort Pitt Museum in the reconstructed Monongahela Bastion is open. The outline of Fort Pitt is marked.

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Location: Point State Park, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Maps & Images Lat: 40.4411 Long: -80.009 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: '

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 690-692

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Pitt
• Wikipedia - Fort Pitt]
• Fort Pitt Museum]

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