Fort Franklin - Franklin, PA
Posted by: 
Szuchie
N 41° 24.040 W 079° 49.867
17T E 597708 N 4583895
This marker details the site of the first American Fort in the region, built in 1787.
Waymark Code: WM3EAH
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 03/23/2008
Views: 45
This historical marker reads:
Site just west of here. Built in 1787 by U.S. troops under Captain Heart. First American fort in the region and base for protecting northwestern Pennsylvania's early settlements.
According to the City of Franklin, PA's website:
Franklin is rich in history- Its location, at the confluence of French Creek and the Allegheny River, was a key spot during the French and Indian War. The French claimed this territory and, in 1753, sent an advance party here to erect a fort. In early December, a young officer in the British forces named George Washington came from Virginia to warn the French that they were trespassing on land claimed by Great Britain. The French defied the warning and built Fort Machault. Here they amassed large forces of French, Indians and boats and planned to mount an attack on Fort Pitt, in what is now Pittsburgh, to reclaim Fort Duquesne for France.
Before an expedition could leave, however, word was received that the British were launching attacks on other French forts along the lakes. The French had to scurry north to protect Fort Niagara, after they had burned their fort and supplies here.
The British built their own fort, which was destroyed by Indians during Pontiac's uprising in 1763. The fort was burned and the soldiers massacred in a surprise attack.
After the American fort, Fort Franklin, was built in 1787, a large tract of land was reserved here by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Andrew Ellicott, who had surveyed for the site of Washington, D.C., had charge of the crew that laid out the city of Franklin.
Marker Name: Fort Franklin
County: Venango
Date Dedicated: 03/20/1947
Marker Type: Roadside
Location: 13th St. (U.S. 322) & Franklin Ave., Franklin
Category: Military, American Revolution, Forts
Website: [Web Link]
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