Fort Lafayette (Pennsylvania) facts for kids
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Pennsylvania Historical Marker
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9th Street in 2011
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 Location in Pittsburgh
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| Location | 9th St. just N of Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA |
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| Coordinates | 40°26′37″N 79°59′54″W / 40.4437°N 79.99834°W |
| Built/founded | 1792 |
| Demolished | yes |
| PHMC dedicated | December 1, 1958 |
Fort Lafayette, later called Fort Fayette, was an American fort in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1792 and used until 1814. Major General Anthony Wayne ordered its construction in June 1792. This was when he was creating a special army unit called the Legion of the United States.
The fort was located near where Penn Avenue and Ninth Street are today. This area is now part of the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh.
History of the Forts
The area where the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers meet to form the Ohio River is very important. It's known as the forks of the Ohio. Because of its key location, many forts were built here over time. These forts were built by the French, British, and later the United States army.
Early Forts at the Forks
The first fort built here was by the French in 1754. It was named Du Quesne. Later, its name was changed to Duquesne. In 1758, the British were about to attack. So, the French left the fort and burned it down.
Between 1759 and 1761, the British built Fort Pitt on the same spot. It became old and was no longer used by 1772. After that, people from Virginia took control of the fort. They called it Fort Dunmore. It was a starting point for a conflict called Lord Dunmore's War in 1774.
Building Fort Lafayette
In 1792, the United States decided to build Fort Lafayette in Pittsburgh. This new fort was meant to replace the old Fort Pitt. It would serve as a supply center for other forts, like Fort McIntosh. These forts were important for protecting new settlements in the Ohio Country. The name of Fort Lafayette was later shortened to Fort Fayette.
Fort Fayette's Role
In 1803, Fort Fayette was a starting point for the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition. This was a journey to explore the western parts of North America. The fort also helped Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry during the War of 1812. It was used to store supplies for his forces. The army stopped using the fort in 1814.
