Fort Laughlin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Laughlin |
|
|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in United States | |
| Type | American Civil War redoubt |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Union Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1863 |
Fort Laughlin was a special type of small fort, called a redoubt, built during the American Civil War. It was constructed in 1863 to help protect the important city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The fort was built by the workers of a company called Jones and Laughlin Iron Works and was named after James H. Laughlin, who was involved with the company.
Fort Laughlin was also sometimes known by other names, like Fort McKinley or Fort Ormsby. It was a circular earthwork, which means it was made mostly from dirt and earth. This fort was located on a place called Ormsby's Hill, which is now part of Arlington Park in Pittsburgh.
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Fort Laughlin: A Civil War Defense
What Was Fort Laughlin?
Fort Laughlin was a small, circular fort made of earth. It was built quickly during the American Civil War to defend Pittsburgh. These types of forts, called redoubts, were important for protecting cities and strategic locations from enemy attacks. They were often temporary and built using local materials like soil and wood.
Why Was It Built?
In 1863, during the American Civil War, there was a real threat that the Confederate States Army might invade Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh was a very important city for the Union Army because it had many factories, especially iron and steel works, that produced supplies for the war effort. To protect these vital resources and the city itself, Fort Laughlin was quickly constructed. It was built by the employees of Jones and Laughlin Iron Works, showing how much people contributed to the war effort, even those not directly fighting.
Where Was Fort Laughlin Located?
Fort Laughlin was built on the bluffs (steep cliffs) overlooking the Monongahela River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its location on Ormsby's Hill, now part of Arlington Park, gave it a good view of the surrounding area, which was important for defense. Today, this area is on Arlington Avenue and is surrounded by streets like Fernleaf, Salisbury, Sterling, and Fort Hill.
Sadly, if you visit Arlington Park today, you won't find any remains of Fort Laughlin. The earthen structure has long since disappeared, and there is no visible evidence of the fort that once stood there to protect Pittsburgh.
