Fort Shirley | |
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Shirleysburg, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania | |
Coordinates | 40°17′49″N 77°52′29″W / 40.29694°N 77.87472°W |
Type | Military fort |
Site history | |
Built | 1755 |
In use | 1755-1756 |
Battles/wars | French and Indian War |
Garrison information | |
Past commanders | Captain George Croghan Captain Hugh Mercer |
Garrison | 30-60 men plus officers |
Designated | 1926 |
Fort Shirley (initially known as Croghan's Fort) was a military fort located in present-day Shirleysburg, Pennsylvania.[1] It was built in 1755 by George Croghan and later maintained by the Province of Pennsylvania during the French and Indian War. Fort Shirley was part of a defensive line of forts built in Pennsylvania during 1755 and 1756, at the start of hostilities with the French and their allied Native Americans. Although two French and Native American war parties were sent to capture it, Fort Shirley was never attacked. The fort served as the launching site for the Kittanning Expedition in September 1756, after which it was abandoned.