Fort Allen (Pennsylvania) facts for kids

Fort Allen, also called "Truby's Blockhouse," was an important military building. It was built in 1774 in Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania. Colonel Christopher Truby, a leader in Pennsylvania's colonial militia, had it built.

The fort was created to protect German settlers from possible attacks by Native Americans. It became a frontier fort during Lord Dunmore's War in 1774. Later, it was also used during the American Revolution. Colonel Truby also served as an officer in the Continental Army during this time.

History of Fort Allen

Why Fort Allen Was Built

In the 1750s, many German pioneers and other immigrants moved to Pennsylvania. Some settled west of the Susquehanna River. They faced attacks from Native Americans. Because of this, hundreds of settlers asked the colonial government for protection.

To help, the Province of Pennsylvania spent a lot of money. They built a chain of blockhouses and forts. These stretched from the Delaware River to the border with Maryland. Each fort had 20 to 75 members of the provincial militia. These were like local soldiers.

Settlers in Westmoreland County also wanted more safety. People from Hempfield Township asked the government for help.

Building and Naming the Fort

In response to these requests, Colonel Christopher Truby built Fort Allen in 1774. He was a leader in Pennsylvania's colonial militia. The fort was likely named after Andrew Allen. He was a member of the state's governing group, the Supreme Executive Council.

After the fort was built, Colonel Truby took command. Fort Allen was also known as "Truby's Blockhouse." It served as a frontier fort during Dunmore's War in 1774. It was then used during the American Revolutionary War.

Fort Allen Today

The area around where Fort Allen once stood has grown a lot. It is now a large neighborhood in Hempfield Township. Many streets there are named after different Native American tribes.

Fort Allen Elementary School was built in 1952. It is part of the Hempfield Area School District. This school was also named after the historic fort.

Monuments and Markers

Fort Allen Stone Monument

A stone monument remembers Fort Allen. It was put up on May 1, 1929. You can find it on the grounds of St. John's Harrold United Church of Christ. This is at the corner of St. John's Church Road and Baltzer Meyer Pike. The monument is about 150 yards north of where the fort actually stood.

Roadside Marker

A roadside marker was put up on December 12, 1946. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission placed it. It is at the intersection of Route 136 and Baltzer Meyer Pike. The marker says:

"Frontier post built by Pennsylvania German pioneers of the Harrold's and Brush Creek settlements in 1774. It was a refuge from Indians in Dunmore's War and the American Revolution. The site was a little to the south."

• "Fort Allen Plaque," in "Pennsylvania Historical Markers." Waymarking.com, retrieved online September 7, 2019.