The history of Fort sur la Riviere aux Boeufs, on the Pennsylvania Trail of History in Waterford, PA dramatically reflects not only the struggle between France and Britain for a colonial empire, but also the triumph of an independent America. The site's strategic location on the waters of the upper Ohio made it of vital importance in the struggle for control of the wilderness in the early eighteenth century. As the French were later displaced by the British, and the British eventually replaced by the Americans, the position along the French Creek became the site of three successive forts.
Control of the Ohio valley, including present western Pennsylvania, was essential to the French, linking their domain in Canada with that in Louisiana. When the English traders began to expand their operations into the present Ohio Valley, the French erected a series of forts southward from Canada to assure control in this area of conflicting claims. Thus, in 1753, the French built Fort sur la Riviere aux Boeufs at the end of an early Indian portage path to the Riviere aux Boeufs (French Creek), which emptied into the Allegheny River.
Illness and the difficulty of transporting men and supplies delayed the completion of the fort. Therefore, the French were not able to continue down the river to erect a fort at the Forks of the Ohio (Pittsburgh) as quickly as had been their plan.
However, the increased activity of the French had not escaped English notice. Governor Robert Dinwiddie, of Virginia, sent a personal message to the commander at Fort sur la Riviere aux Boeufs stating British claims to the area and demanding peaceful withdrawal of the French forces. A young Virginian gentleman volunteered to deliver this message. He was George Washington. Although the journey did not accomplish its purpose - the French refused to be budged - the trip did give Washington the opportunity to observe both the fort and French preparations for traveling down the Ohio. Washington's report to the Virginia government alerted the British of the situation, which eventually developed into the French and Indian War.
From 1755 to 1758, Fort sur la Riviere aux Boeufs served as a way station on the French line of defense to Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh). British attempts to dislodge the French were unsuccessful until the Forbes expedition of 1758 captured Fort Duquesne. As the French retreated northward, Fort sur la Riviere aux Boeufs became more vulnerable to scouting attacks and small skirmishes. Thus, in August of 1759, the French were forced to abandon the fort and burn it to the ground.
The English realized the necessity of guarding their newly gained frontier lands. In October of 1760, Colonel Henry Bouquet was sent north from Fort Pitt to build an English fort, which was called Le Boeuf. This was occupied by the British until an Indian attack during "Pontiac's Conspiracy" forced the small garrison to fall back to Fort Pitt in June of 1763. Once again, the fort at Le Boeuf was burned.
The British did not reoccupy the fort. It was not until thirty years later that the area was rebuilt. With the end of the Revolutionary War, danger of Indians necessitated re-establishment of a defense system. In 1794, Governor Thomas Mifflin of Pennsylvania authorized the erection of two small blockhouses under the command of Major Ebenezer Denny. General Anthony Wayne further strengthened frontier defenses by ordering the erection of a blockhouse at Le Boeuf in 1796.
The town of Waterford was laid out in 1794 by the Americans who were settling in northwestern Pennsylvania. The new town prospered as it became a major stopping point on route from Pittsburgh to the Great Lakes. Among the early settlers was Amos Judson, who came to Waterford in 1795 from Connecticut. He opened a store and by 1820 had attained enough wealth to erect his fine Greek Revival home, which is still standing. Near the Judson House is the Fort Le Boeuf Museum, which explains the historic role of the Indians and Europeans on the western Pennsylvania frontier. Across the street from these buildings is a statue of Washington delivering the demand from the English that the French abandon their possessions in the Ohio valley. The statue symbolizes the involvement of three nations in the history of northwestern Pennsylvania.
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania assumed responsibility for management of the Fort Le Boeuf Museum in 1981. For 13 years, the museum served as headquarters for the Edinboro University Archaeological Field School. Excavations were conducted to search for evidence of the French and British forts as well as detail the architectural history of the historical Eagle Hotel, which is in the Waterford Historical Complex.
The Department of History and Anthropology is currently responsible for staffing, conducting tours (which may include a film presentation), publicizing special exhibits, and maintaining museum hours. Tours may be arranged by appointment only. The museum is open to the public throughout the Edinboro University academic year and summer sessions, every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4:00 PM. The museum is closed during major holiday weekends as well as formal university-wide breaks. There is no admission charge.
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This site is not a part of the offical Edinboro University Web Publication. Direct questions and comments to RSPILLER@edinboro.edu |
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