Fort Lafayette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

Pittsburgh · Pennsylvania · Indian Wars, War of 1812

Quick BriefGeneral Anthony Wayne established Fort Lafayette in June 1792 at Pittsburgh's strategic forks of the Ohio River, later renamed Fort Fayette. The post served as a staging ground for the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1803 and later as Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's supply base during the War of 1812. The fort was demolished in the early 19th century.

History & Significance

The fort was constructed as a replacement for Fort Pitt, serving as a supply center for Fort McIntosh and downstream forts on the Ohio River in response to the opening of the Ohio Country to American settlement. Built to protect Pittsburgh against Indian attacks and serve as a chief supply base for General Wayne's army from 1792–1794, the post emerged during an era of severe frontier turbulence.

Following failed federal expeditions against the Ohio Indians in 1790 and 1791, Fort Lafayette was established as a secure outpost until Wayne's forces achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794. In 1803, the fort served as a staging ground for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, assembling supplies for the continent's exploration.

The fort was reactivated during the War of 1812, serving as Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's supply base for Lake Erie operations. The Army abandoned the fort in 1814. The garrison likely left in April or May 1815, and the structure was eventually torn down in the early 19th century.