The Fort Pitt Block House (also known as Bouquet’s Redoubt) is a pentagonal brick defensive structure located within Point State Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Built in 1764, it is the oldest authenticated structure in Western Pennsylvania and the only surviving remnant of the original British Fort Pitt. 🧱🛡️
In 2026, as Pittsburgh prepares for the United States’ Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary), the Block House stands as a primary institutional anchor for colonial history, uniquely remaining under private ownership despite being located in the center of a state park.
🏛️ Military and Institutional History
The Block House was originally constructed as a “redoubt”—an outer defensive work designed to protect the fort’s main walls from being besieged.
- Origins: It was ordered by Colonel Henry Bouquet following “Pontiac’s War” (1763) to reinforce the fort’s vulnerabilities. ⚔️
- The “Handover” (1894): In one of the most significant preservation events in American history, philanthropist Mary Schenley gifted the deed to the Block House to the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
- Legal Precedent (1907): In the early 20th century, industrialist Henry Clay Frick and the Pennsylvania Railroad attempted to demolish the structure for rail yards. The DAR successfully fought them in court, leading to a 1907 Pennsylvania state law that protects colonial structures from eminent domain by private corporations. ⚖️🏛️
🏗️ Architectural Characteristics
The structure is a rare example of 18th-century frontier military architecture that has remained in its original location without being moved or reconstructed.
- Pentagonal Design: The five-sided layout provided a $360^{\circ}$ field of fire, eliminating “blind spots” where an enemy could hide.
- The Gun Loops: Two rows of square oak timbers wrap around the building, featuring narrow “loopholes” or slits. These were designed for muskets, allowing soldiers to fire upon attackers with minimal exposure. 🔫
- Original Fabric: While it was used as a residence and tenement house during the 19th century (1785–1894), much of its 1764 architectural fabric—including the stone foundation, handmade bricks, and oak timbers—remains intact.
🔬 Archeological Insights
Extensive digs conducted on the grounds have revealed the Block House’s multi-layered history as a transition point between eras.
| Era | Artifacts Found | Historical Context |
| Pre-Colonial | Bear tooth pendants, bone tools. | Evidence of Native American habitation at the “Forks” prior to European contact. 🏹 |
| Military (1764–1792) | Gunflints, lead shot, military buttons. | Active use as a British and later Continental Army outpost. 🎖️ |
| Domestic (1792–1894) | Ceramics, “TD” clay pipes, children’s toys. | Use as a multi-family tenement house during Pittsburgh’s industrial boom. 🧸 |
🛡️ Current Status in 2026
Managed by the Fort Pitt Society of the DAR, the Block House operates as a museum that remains free to the public, receiving no state or federal funding for its operations.
- Climate Monitoring: Due to its proximity to the rivers and the high humidity of the Point, the interior utilizes a specialized sensor network (updated in 2025) to monitor the expansion of original 18th-century timbers.
- The Edith Ammon Memorial Garden: Surrounding the Block House, this garden commemorates the women who led the legal fight to save the building from industrial demolition. 🌷
- 250th Preparations: In early 2026, the Block House is the focal point for the “1776–2026: Pittsburgh’s Gateway” exhibit, highlighting its role as the western headquarters for the Continental Army during the Revolution.
Last Updated on 10 hours ago by pinc