The Fort Pitt Block House is the oldest authenticated structure in Pittsburgh at 251 years old. This redoubt (a fancy word for a building outside a larger force used for protection) is all that remains of Fort Pitt. Two years after the Revolutionary War ended, Fort Pitt was destroyed, but the Block House was spared as someone was living in the structure. In 1894, the building was given to the Daughters of the American Revolution to be preserved. Today it is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.
The iconic fountain, located at the end of the point, is where Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers come together to form the Ohio; the area is also referred to as the Forks of the Ohio. After four years of upgrades, the fountain repoened in 2013. Fun fact: the water in the fountain comes from an aquifer which runs under the park.
I headed back through the park, tootled around downtown and then to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.
Look at those Sister Bridges!
150 volunteers worked with local artist Kim Beck to complete the 900-foot long mural along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. According to Beck's website:
"The weed silhouettes were inspired by weeds growing along the riverfront, and the title was inspired by a journal entry by Henry David Thoreau: 'There they stood in the midst of the open river on this shallow and weedy bar in the sun the leisurely sentries lazily pluming themselves as if the day were too long for them. They gave a new character to the stream. Adjutant they were to my idea of the river, these two winged men.'"
Back through Point State Park and over the Ft. Duquesne Bridge to where I parked my car.
All in all, it was a very successful five mile walkabout.
I will definitely be back in a week or two to check out the changing leaves!
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