Fort Black (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

Pittsburgh · Pennsylvania · Civil War

Quick BriefFort Black, also known as Fort Squirrel Hill and Fort Chess, was built in 1863 in Pittsburgh's Greenfield neighborhood during the Civil War. It ranked among the most massive of 27 forts constructed to defend Pittsburgh from Confederate invasion, and remained standing until demolition in 1928.

Civil War

History & Significance

When the Confederate Army threatened Pittsburgh during the Gettysburg campaign, the U.S. War Department established the Department of the Monongahela and dispatched Maj. Gen. William T. H. Brooks to organize defenses, authorizing the construction of earthworks and small forts. Fort Black was built in the Greenfield neighborhood on Bigelow Street between Parade and Shields streets, with cannons facing the Point and trenches to protect soldiers.

The fort was one of the most massive of the 27 built at that time, constructed of mounds of dirt rather than masonry. A powder magazine was also built nearby on Beechwood Boulevard.

The defenses were never used in any military engagements, as there was never a real threat from Confederate invasion. The structure remained standing until its demolition in 1928.