Click on each year, one at a time, to find out how Pittsburgh came to be and grew up through the years.

1754<< Previous | Next >>

Acting on George Washington’s advice, 33 Virginians working for the Ohio Company of Virginia arrive at the Point on February 17 and begin constructing Fort Prince George, named in honor of the British King. However, the French arrive and force the Virginians to surrender on April 17. Using the lumber from the not-completed Fort Prince George, the French build Fort Duquesne, named after the energetic Governor of Canada, the Marquis du Quesne de Menneville.

You can see this bronze plaque showing a plan of Fort Duquesne in the ground at Point State Park.