Fort Robert Smalls facts for kids

Fort Robert Smalls was a small fort, called a redoubt, built during the American Civil War. It was built in 1863 by free African Americans to help protect the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

This fort was named after a brave man named Robert Smalls. In 1862, Robert Smalls was enslaved in Beaufort, South Carolina. He made a daring escape by taking control of a Confederate transport ship. He sailed himself, his crew, and their families to freedom. They reached the safety of the Union ships blocking the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina.

Protecting Pittsburgh

During the American Civil War, leaders in Pittsburgh worried about attacks. In 1863, Confederate soldiers threatened to invade Pennsylvania. To protect the city, leaders ordered the building of defensive structures. These included forts and redoubts.

Building the Fort

Fort Robert Smalls was one of these important defenses. It was built on a place called McGuire's Hill. This fort was special because it was built by free African American workers. Another similar fort was also built by black workers on the same hill.

What Happened to the Fort?

The fort had strong walls made of earth. These walls were about four to five feet high. They stood at the top of McGuire's Hill, near Becks Run in Arlington Heights. The fort's walls remained there for many years. However, they were taken down in the 1930s. This was done to make space for new public housing buildings.