Fort Ligonier facts for kids
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Fort Ligonier Site
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | South Market St, Ligonier, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 15 acres (6.1 ha) |
| Built | 1758 |
| Architect | Charles M. Stotz (reconstruction) |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001678 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 21, 1975 |
Fort Ligonier is an old British fort built during the French and Indian War. You can find it in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, in the United States. This fort was a very important place for the British army. It was a starting point for a big military journey called the Forbes Expedition in 1758.
For eight years, Fort Ligonier was an active military base. What's amazing is that no enemy ever managed to capture it! The fort also helped connect the British to a new fort called Fort Pitt. Later, during Pontiac's War in 1763, it was a key spot for sending messages and supplies. Native American groups attacked the fort twice and tried to surround it. But the British won a big battle nearby at Bushy Run in August 1763. The fort stopped being used by the military in 1766.
Today, you can visit a reconstructed version of Fort Ligonier. There's also a museum right next to it. Inside the museum, you'll see real items from the battles. You can even take a guided tour to learn more about the fort's history. During special events like Fort Ligonier Days, they even fire the fort's cannons!
Building Fort Ligonier
In the mid-1700s, Britain and France were fighting over land in North America. This war was called the French and Indian War. France had won important battles against George Washington and Edward Braddock in 1754–55. This meant France controlled a key area called the forks of the Ohio River. This is where the city of Pittsburgh is today.
By 1758, a British officer named General John Forbes was given a tough job. He had to capture Fort Duquesne, which was the main French fort at the forks of the Ohio River. To do this, he ordered a new road to be built across Pennsylvania. Along this road, he planned a series of forts to protect his army. The last fort in this chain was called the "Post at Loyalhanna." It was about 50 miles from Fort Duquesne.
The construction of this fort, which would become Fort Ligonier, began in September 1758. By late October, George Washington had arrived there. Before that, the British had lost a fight at Fort Duquesne on September 14. But the British successfully defended Loyalhanna from a French attack on October 12. The French army was outnumbered and had lost support from their Native American allies. So, they decided to leave Fort Duquesne.
General Forbes took over Fort Duquesne on November 25. He renamed the area "Pittsburgh" to honor William Pitt, who was a very important British leader. Forbes also named the "Post at Loyalhanna" as "Fort Ligonier." He named it after his boss, Sir John Ligonier, who was the commander of the British army.
Key Dates for the Fort
Here are some important dates in the history of Fort Ligonier:
- August 10, 1758 – Colonel Bouquet told Major James Grant to build a road. This road would go from Bedford to Ligonier. Ligonier was close enough to attack the French Fort Duquesne.
- August 15, 1758 – Colonel Bouquet sent Ensign Charles Rohr to the future site of Fort Ligonier. Rohr was an engineer for General Forbes. His job was to pick the best spot for a supply building.
- August 20, 1758 – Colonel Bouquet sent Major Grant, Colonel James Burd, and 1,500 soldiers to the site. They started building the fort. Major Grant was in charge of all the men and the fort's construction.
- August 21, 1758 – Ensign Rohr chose the exact location for the fort.
- August 22, 1758 – Colonel Bouquet ordered Colonel Burd's men to build a 120-foot (37 m) storehouse for supplies. They also built a hospital.
- August 27, 1758 – Burd and Rohr found an even better spot for a fort. It was nine miles (14 km) west of Ligonier. But General Forbes said to keep building Fort Ligonier. Work had already started there.
- August 29, 1758 – Colonel Burd and his troops arrived at Fort Ligonier. They dug trenches around the fort for defense.
- September 1, 1758 – Bouquet sent 100 men to dig trenches at "Grants Paradise." This spot was south of Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
- September 9, 1758 – Major Grant left Fort Ligonier with his troops. They headed west towards Fort Duquesne. On September 15, they got within five miles (eight km) of Fort Duquesne. But the French defeated them. Grant's plan to trick the French defenders failed. Bouquet arrived at Fort Ligonier with more troops. He wrote about the fort's condition and supplies.
- October 12, 1758 – The Battle of Fort Ligonier happened while the fort was still being built. The French attacked for four hours but were defeated. The French tried to attack again at night. But mortar fire from the fort forced them to leave.
- November 12, 1758 – Colonel Forbes's troops found another group of French soldiers. These French soldiers were hiding around Fort Ligonier. The British attacked, killing one and capturing three. One prisoner was an Englishman. He had been taken from his home by anti-British Native Americans. His information about Fort Duquesne being weak was true. So, Forbes decided to push forward and capture Fort Duquesne.
- November 12, 1758 – Units led by George Washington and Lieutenant Colonel George Mercer accidentally fought each other. This happened in heavy fog and at night. Two officers and 38 men were killed or hurt.
- November 1758 – About 4,000 soldiers camped at the fort. This made Ligonier the second-largest community in Pennsylvania at that time.
- November 25, 1758 – Forbes successfully captured Fort Duquesne.
- March 1766 – Fort Ligonier was no longer used by the military. This happened after the French and Indian War ended.
