Fort Pitt Blockhouse

Fort Pitt Blockhouse is a two-story stone military structure located where three rivers meet in downtown Pittsburgh. It was built as a defensive outpost within the larger Fort Pitt complex and remains one of the few original buildings from that colonial military installation.

The blockhouse was constructed in 1764 to defend Fort Pitt during the French and Indian War. When the main fort was demolished in 1792, this structure survived and became the most recognizable remnant of that military installation.

Local preservation groups maintain this blockhouse and share its story through educational visits and displays about colonial life. Visitors can observe how soldiers of that era used such structures for daily work and defense.

The blockhouse sits in Point State Park and is easily accessible on foot with clear signage from the park entrance. Interior access is available along with informational displays that explain the building's features and historical role.

The building retains its original materials and construction from 1764, making it the oldest authenticated structure west of the Allegheny Mountains in Western Pennsylvania. This remarkable survival makes it a genuine window into early colonial military life in the region.

Location: Pittsburgh

Inception: 1764

Floors above the ground: 2

Part of: Point State Park, Fort Pitt

Website: http://fortpittblockhouse.com

GPS coordinates: 40.44120,-80.00980

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:24