Fort Presque Isle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Presque Isle |
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| Erie, Pennsylvania, USA | |
Commemorative plaque of Fort Presque Isle location
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| Coordinates | 42°08′14″N 80°04′46″W / 42.137085°N 80.079374°W |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |  France 1753–1759 British Empire 1759–1763 United States 1786–1852 |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1753 |
| In use | 1753–1763; 1786–1852 |
| Demolished | 1852 |
| Battles/wars | Pontiac's Rebellion |
Fort Presque Isle was an important fort built by French soldiers in the summer of 1753. It was located along Presque Isle Bay in what is now Erie, Pennsylvania. The fort helped protect the northern end of the Venango Path, a key route.
This fort was the first of several French outposts in the Ohio Country. Other forts in this line included Fort Le Boeuf, Fort Machault, and Fort Duquesne.
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History of Fort Presque Isle
French Control
The French built Fort Presque Isle because they wanted to control the Ohio Country. Both the French and the British claimed this land. These competing claims eventually led to the French and Indian War.
In 1759, the British won an important battle at Fort Niagara. After this defeat, the French decided to burn Fort Presque Isle. They then left the area.
British Control and Pontiac's War
After the French left, the British built a new Fort Presque Isle. However, this fort was later attacked by Native American tribes during a conflict known as Pontiac's War.
On June 19, 1763, about 250 Native American warriors surrounded the fort. These warriors were from tribes like the Ottawas, Ojibwas, Wyandots, and Senecas.
The British soldiers inside the fort held out for two days. The group of about sixty men finally surrendered. They were promised they could return to Fort Pitt. Sadly, most of the soldiers were killed after leaving the fort.
The American Fort
Years later, in 1786, General Anthony Wayne arrived in the Presque Isle area. In 1795, 200 American soldiers from Wayne's army built a new blockhouse. This blockhouse was also called Fort Presque Isle. It was built on Garrison Hill in what is now Erie, Pennsylvania.
The blockhouse was used to defend against Native American uprisings. It was also used during the War of 1812.
General Wayne's Legacy
General Wayne became ill at Fort Presque Isle and died there in 1796. He asked to be buried under the flagpole of the fort's northwest blockhouse. This blockhouse later burned down in 1852.
In 1880, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania rebuilt the blockhouse. It stands at Second and Ash Streets in Erie. This new blockhouse is a memorial to General Wayne. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has recognized it as an important historical site.
