After General Edward Braddock's defeat in 1755, the entire frontier was open for the French and their natives allies to move east and attack British settlements on the Pennsylvania frontier. The Allegheny mountains served as the division between British territory and disputed land. With its western claim threatened the colonial Pennsylvania government approved the construction of a number of frontier forts along the Alleghenies for strategy and offer protection for settlers.
In 1756 provincial Colonel John Armstrong was designated to select a parcel and construct a fort and structures to house men and supplies. Armstrong's first choice was a property owned by a Widow Barr but it was found to be inadequate. His next option was a property owned by farmer Matthew Patton. The year before Patton's house and barn was destroyed by an Indian raid and his new house was under construction. Patton's location had better lines of sight, was next to the west branch of the Conococheague Creek, and nestled below Mount Parnell, which on a clear day could be seen from Fort Cumberland in Maryland.
Armstrong writes Governor William Denny on November 19, 1756:
“I’m making the best preparation in my power to forward the New Fort, as well as to prepare the Barracks, &c, all the others for the Approaching Winter. Yesterday the Escort of one hundred men returned from Lyttleton who left the Chattle &c, safe there and to-day we begin to Digg a Cellar in the New Fort; the Loggs & Roof of a New House having there been Erected by Patton before the Indians burn’s his Old One. We shall first apprise this House, and then take the benefit of it, either for Officers Barracks or a Store House, by which means the Provisions may the sooner be mov’d from this place (McDowell’s Mill) which at present divides our strength."
By December 22nd Armstrong had transferred supplies from McDowell's to the newly built barracks. The stockade was completed during the winter. Once complete the fort was named in honor of the Earl of Loudoun, John Campbell, Commander of British Forces in North America. In 1757 Armstrong's provincial troops garrisoned the fort which consisted of an officer quarters, 3 barrack buildings, and a pole building built into the eastern bastion.
On June 2, 1758, Colonel Henry Bouquet arrived to command British forces in western Pennsylvania and supervise the construction of a new road to the west which would later be named the Forbes Road. Upon his arrival, Bouquet recalled two companies of Royal Americans to Loudoun under the orders that 200 men be stationed there. However, more than half the men served as axemen clearing the forest for the road.
In 1756 provincial Colonel John Armstrong was designated to select a parcel and construct a fort and structures to house men and supplies. Armstrong's first choice was a property owned by a Widow Barr but it was found to be inadequate. His next option was a property owned by farmer Matthew Patton. The year before Patton's house and barn was destroyed by an Indian raid and his new house was under construction. Patton's location had better lines of sight, was next to the west branch of the Conococheague Creek, and nestled below Mount Parnell, which on a clear day could be seen from Fort Cumberland in Maryland.
Armstrong writes Governor William Denny on November 19, 1756:
“I’m making the best preparation in my power to forward the New Fort, as well as to prepare the Barracks, &c, all the others for the Approaching Winter. Yesterday the Escort of one hundred men returned from Lyttleton who left the Chattle &c, safe there and to-day we begin to Digg a Cellar in the New Fort; the Loggs & Roof of a New House having there been Erected by Patton before the Indians burn’s his Old One. We shall first apprise this House, and then take the benefit of it, either for Officers Barracks or a Store House, by which means the Provisions may the sooner be mov’d from this place (McDowell’s Mill) which at present divides our strength."
By December 22nd Armstrong had transferred supplies from McDowell's to the newly built barracks. The stockade was completed during the winter. Once complete the fort was named in honor of the Earl of Loudoun, John Campbell, Commander of British Forces in North America. In 1757 Armstrong's provincial troops garrisoned the fort which consisted of an officer quarters, 3 barrack buildings, and a pole building built into the eastern bastion.
On June 2, 1758, Colonel Henry Bouquet arrived to command British forces in western Pennsylvania and supervise the construction of a new road to the west which would later be named the Forbes Road. Upon his arrival, Bouquet recalled two companies of Royal Americans to Loudoun under the orders that 200 men be stationed there. However, more than half the men served as axemen clearing the forest for the road.