 |
|
 |
| |||||||||||||||
|
Park Spotlight: Point State Park
Taken from DCNR’s Point State Park web page. Many of Pennsylvania’s state parks are historically significant, but it’s hard to downplay the importance of the “point” in North American history. Rescued from understandably relentless development pressure—given its location—Point State Park now caps the “Golden Triangle” and is the centerpiece of both a city and a region. The Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet at the point (the “confluence”) to form the Ohio River. During the mid-1700s, the armies of France and Britain were attracted to this area, each vying for control of the Ohio Valley. The intensity of the conflict was evidenced by the construction of four different forts at the site, within a period of ten years. In 1754, French forces captured an outpost at the Point that had been erected by a force of Virginians. George Washington was sent to recapture the fort for the Virginians, but suffered his first and only defeat at Fort Necessity, 50 miles to the southeast. The French then built Fort Duquesne at the Forks, which gave them control of the Ohio Valley until 1758. The only threat to their control occurred in 1755 when General George Braddock was defeated at the Battle of the Monongahela, only eight miles from the fort. In 1758, an army of 6,000 lead by General John Forbes, marched west from Carlisle. Forbes stopped at Fort Ligonier, 50 miles to the southeast and made final preparations for the assault on Fort Duquesne. The French, realizing they were badly outnumbered, burned the fort and departed two days before the British arrived on November 25, 1758. Soon Fort Pitt was under construction on the same site and was to be the most extensive fortification by the British in the American Colonies. The French were never to regain control as their other outposts fell to the British. The only further action at Fort Pitt was in 1763 when it withstood American Indian attacks during Pontiac’s Insurrection. Fort Pitt was finally abandoned in 1792. It had served to open the frontier to settlement as Pittsburgh became the “Gateway to the West.” The park highlights this history through its interpretation areas, centered on Fort Pitt. Of the five original bastions (projecting parts of a fortification) of Fort Pitt, three have been restored. The Music Bastion, which serves as a permanent exhibit, has been excavated to reveal parts of the original fort’s foundation. The Monongahela Bastion houses the Fort Pitt Museum. The Flag Bastion, which faces the south, offers a fine view of the Monongahela River. There are 23 monuments, plaques and markers throughout the park, commemorating events, people and places of historic importance. Housed in the Monongahela Bastion, the Fort Pitt Museum is devoted to the frontier period of local history and contains numerous displays and exhibits on the area’s historic impact. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission administers the museum, which is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. and is closed on Mondays. An admission fee is charged for those 12 and older. Built by Colonel Henry Bouquet in 1764, the Fort Pitt Blockhouse is the oldest authentic building in Western Pennsylvania. Owned and operated by the Fort Pitt Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, the blockhouse is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, on Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. and is closed on Mondays. A volunteer reenactment group of the British army of the 18th century—the Royal American Regiment—performs throughout the summer months on periodic Sunday afternoons. Included in the program are authentic reproductions of uniforms, fifes and drums, muskets and cannon firings. While the point may have since lost its military significance, it now plays an important role in the recreational life of Pittsburgh. Since it’s restoration in the latter half of the 20th century, it provides either a destination or a jumping-off point for much of the city’s downtown outdoor recreational events and activities. At the point’s “point” is a majestic fountain, which was dedicated by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania on August 30, 1974, marking the completion of the 36-acre Point State Park which was 29 years in planning and construction. The fountain is operated daily from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. weather permitting, during the spring, summer and fall seasons. Water in the fountain is recirculated. Water to replace the amount lost during fountain operations is obtained from a 54-foot deep well that penetrates sands and gravels under the park. These sands and gravels are below the groundwater table and are saturated with water that infiltrates from the adjoining rivers. In addition to visiting the fountain, visitors can walk along paved promenades on the riverfront and to overlooks for dramatic views of Pittsburgh, its busy waterways, scenic hillsides and many bridges. Natural landscaping and a 150-foot tall fountain enhance the beauty of this unique park at the “Forks of the Ohio.” A stepped wall or stone bleacher along the Allegheny River section of the park provides seating for outdoor events. A bike and in-line skate route through Point State Park connects the North Shore Trail, the South Side Trail, and the Eliza Furnace Trail via bicycle routes through the city of Pittsburgh. Numerous events and attractions are available in and around Point State Park. The Pittsburgh Marathon, Richard S. Caliguire Great Race, Three Rivers Art Festival and the Three Rivers Regatta are some of the events that have been held within the park. For more information on year-round events and walking tours of the city contact the Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitors Bureau, (800) 366-0093, or visit www.visitpittsburgh.com.
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||
Top Stories
