Fort Pitt Blockhouse
Encyclopedia
The Fort Pitt Blockhouse (sometimes called Bouquet's Blockhouse or Bouquet's Redoubt) is a historic building in Point State Park
in the city of Pittsburgh. It was constructed in 1764 as a redoubt
of Fort Pitt
, making it the oldest extant structure in Western Pennsylvania
, as well as the "oldest authenticated structure west of the Allegheny Mountains
".
. One of the problems with the design of the fort which came to light during the siege was that none of its bastions were effective at repelling snipers. In response to this weakness, Henry Bouquet
initiated the construction of a small numberThe specific number of redoubts constructed in 1764 is variously listed as two (Toker 2007) or five (Toker 2009). of redoubts for sharpshooters in 1764, of which only the Fort Pitt Blockhouse survives.
presented the deed to the Blockhouse to the Daughters of the American Revolution
(DAR). She did this specifically so that the structure might be preserved for future generations:
purchased all of the land surrounding the Blockhouse in 1902, shortly before Schenley's death. He offered the DAR $25,000 to move the Blockhouse to Schenley Park
; however, the DAR refused. Following lengthy litigation, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
ruled in favor of the DAR and the Blockhouse, enabling its continued preservation.
The structure has never been fully demolished or moved during its centuries of existence, but the modern structure is "almost totally rebuilt". Franklin Toker
notes that the structure "retains its original sandstone base, a complete rim of wooden girders, and coursed common-bond brick walls".
as being the sole surviving historical building in the "Forks of the Ohio (Site of Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt, Bouquet's Blockhouse)" historic place. It also has a historical marker
issued by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania
and is a Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation designated Historic Landmark.
Point State Park
Point State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on in Downtown Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA, at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, forming the Ohio River....
in the city of Pittsburgh. It was constructed in 1764 as a redoubt
Redoubt
A redoubt is a fort or fort system usually consisting of an enclosed defensive emplacement outside a larger fort, usually relying on earthworks, though others are constructed of stone or brick. It is meant to protect soldiers outside the main defensive line and can be a permanent structure or a...
of Fort Pitt
Fort Pitt (Pennsylvania)
Fort Pitt was a fort built at the location of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.-French and Indian War:The fort was built from 1759 to 1761 during the French and Indian War , next to the site of former Fort Duquesne, at the confluence the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River...
, making it the oldest extant structure in Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania consists of the western third of the state of Pennsylvania in the United States. Pittsburgh is the largest city in the region, with a metropolitan area population of about 2.4 million people, and serves as its economic and cultural center. Erie, Altoona, and Johnstown are its...
, as well as the "oldest authenticated structure west of the Allegheny Mountains
Allegheny Mountains
The Allegheny Mountain Range , also spelled Alleghany, Allegany and, informally, the Alleghenies, is part of the vast Appalachian Mountain Range of the eastern United States and Canada...
".
Construction
The Fort Pitt Blockhouse was constructed in 1764 to address weaknesses in Fort Pitt's original design. Fort Pitt had been completed in 1761 and survived a difficult siege in 1763 during Pontiac's RebellionPontiac's Rebellion
Pontiac's War, Pontiac's Conspiracy, or Pontiac's Rebellion was a war that was launched in 1763 by a loose confederation of elements of Native American tribes primarily from the Great Lakes region, the Illinois Country, and Ohio Country who were dissatisfied with British postwar policies in the...
. One of the problems with the design of the fort which came to light during the siege was that none of its bastions were effective at repelling snipers. In response to this weakness, Henry Bouquet
Henry Bouquet
Henry Bouquet was a prominent British Army officer in the French and Indian War and Pontiac's War. Bouquet is best known for his victory over Native Americans at the Battle of Bushy Run, lifting the siege of Fort Pitt during Pontiac's War.-Early life:Bouquet was born into a moderately wealthy...
initiated the construction of a small numberThe specific number of redoubts constructed in 1764 is variously listed as two (Toker 2007) or five (Toker 2009). of redoubts for sharpshooters in 1764, of which only the Fort Pitt Blockhouse survives.
History
When Fort Pitt was demolished in 1797, the Blockhouse was left untouched because it did not lie within the fort's walls. The structure was converted into a private house at an unknown date. In 1894, philanthropist Mary SchenleyMary Schenley
Mary Elizabeth Croghan Schenley is best remembered as a major philanthropist to the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.-Early life and scandal:...
presented the deed to the Blockhouse to the Daughters of the American Revolution
Daughters of the American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based membership organization for women who are descended from a person involved in United States' independence....
(DAR). She did this specifically so that the structure might be preserved for future generations:
You are to preserve and keep this relic of a bygone past, and to gather and preserve all obtainable history and tradition in regard to it, and you are to beautify and adorn it and to make it the receptacle of relics bearing on the Colonial and Revolutionary periods of its existence.…I will therefore…leave the ladies of your Society, who have the history of western Pennsylvania at their finger ends, to tell the story of the chivalrous Frenchmen, cruel, crafty Indians, courageous British, and intrepid Colonists. It is fitting that this old landmark, rich in historic associations of more than a century ago, should fall into the hands of those who by birth, tradition, and sentiment are particularly fitted to receive and preserve it and perpetuate the memories of the days when it was occupied by the French and their Indian allies, and afterwards by the British and Colonial troops.Industrialist Henry Clay Frick
Henry Clay Frick
Henry Clay Frick was an American industrialist, financier, and art patron. He founded the H. C. Frick & Company coke manufacturing company, was chairman of the Carnegie Steel Company, and played a major role in the formation of the giant U.S. Steel steel manufacturing concern...
purchased all of the land surrounding the Blockhouse in 1902, shortly before Schenley's death. He offered the DAR $25,000 to move the Blockhouse to Schenley Park
Schenley Park
Schenley Park is a large municipal park located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, between the neighborhoods of Oakland, Greenfield, and Squirrel Hill. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district...
; however, the DAR refused. Following lengthy litigation, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the court of last resort for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It meets in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.-History:...
ruled in favor of the DAR and the Blockhouse, enabling its continued preservation.
The structure has never been fully demolished or moved during its centuries of existence, but the modern structure is "almost totally rebuilt". Franklin Toker
Franklin Toker
Franklin Toker is a professor of the History of Art and Architecture at the University of Pittsburgh and the author of eight books on the history of art and architecture, ranging from the excavations he conducted under Santa Reparata, Florence to 21st century American Urbanism. He is a President...
notes that the structure "retains its original sandstone base, a complete rim of wooden girders, and coursed common-bond brick walls".
Today
Although the Blockhouse resides within the boundaries of Point State Park, it is owned and operated by the Fort Pitt Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The DAR allows visitors to the park to tour the structure. The building is recognized by the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as being the sole surviving historical building in the "Forks of the Ohio (Site of Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt, Bouquet's Blockhouse)" historic place. It also has a historical marker
Historical marker
A historical marker or historic marker is an indicator such as a plaque or sign to commemorate an event or person of historic interest and to associate that point of interest with a specific locale one can visit.-Description:...
issued by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and is a Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation designated Historic Landmark.