Fort Deshler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Deshler |
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| Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, near Egypt, Pennsylvania |
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Engraving of Fort Deshler (1895).
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 Fort Deshler
Former location of Fort Deshler
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| Coordinates | 40°40′19″N 75°31′12″W / 40.672°N 75.520°W |
| Type | Fort |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Province of Pennsylvania |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1760 |
| Built by | Adam Deshler |
| Materials | Stone |
| Battles/wars | French and Indian War |
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Pennsylvania Historical Marker
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| Designated: | October 7, 2001 |
Fort Deshler was a special kind of building called a fort built way back in 1760. It was located near Egypt in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. This fort was created during the French and Indian War to keep settlers safe from attacks.
You can find where Fort Deshler once stood near the intersection of Pennsylvania Route 145 and Chestnut Street, between Egypt and Coplay.
Contents
What Was Fort Deshler?
Fort Deshler was built by a man named Adam Deshler. He was busy during the French and Indian War, helping to provide supplies for the local forces.
What Was It Like Inside?
The fort itself was a strong stone building, like a blockhouse. It was about 40 feet (12 meters) long and 30 feet (9 meters) wide. Its walls were super thick, about 2.5 feet (0.76 meters)! This sturdy building was also Adam Deshler's home.
Right next to the main stone building was a large wooden building. This extra space was perfect for about twenty soldiers to stay. It also served as a storage area for military supplies.
What Was Its Purpose?
Even though it was called a fort, Fort Deshler didn't seem to have soldiers stationed there all the time. It wasn't really used for big military battles.
Instead, it was a very important safe place for settlers in the area. If there was danger, people could gather there for protection. It was a meeting point and a refuge.
What Happened to Fort Deshler?
The Deshler family owned the fort for a very long time, until 1899. That year, they sold the building and its surrounding 151 acres (0.61 square kilometers) of land. The Coplay Cement Company bought it for $100,000.
A historian named Charles Rhoads Roberts wrote about Fort Deshler in 1914. He thought this old stone building was very important. He believed it should have been saved and marked as a historic spot. He wanted it to remind future generations of the tough times the early settlers faced.
Sadly, Fort Deshler was not saved. It slowly fell into ruins and completely collapsed around 1940. Today, a special marker from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission shows where it used to be. This marker helps us remember the fort and its history.
