Fort Roberdeau: A frontier fort during the War

In the woodlands near Altoona, , 218 miles from , there is a reconstructed fort that was built in 1778 by General Daniel Roberdeau to protect and support lead mining and local settlers from Indians loyal to the British, Tory sympathizers and British Rangers in that area. Roberdeau served in the during the Revolutionary War. Roberdeau was a signer of the Articles of Confederation. Fort Roberdeau, then locally known as the "Lead Mines Fort" was authorized by the Pennsylvania Assembly to secure and protect the mines in Sinking Spring Valley to enable them to supply war materials for the by mining lead in the area and then smelting it at the fort. The fort only lasted for a few years as a garrison for troops and safe place for miners, settlers, and the smelter operation. It ended when France entered the war enabling supply problems regarding lead for bullets to end. Locals continued to use the Fort for protection after the lead mining operations ceased. "Unlike many frontier forts built of logs placed vertically, this one was constructed using horizontal logs. The limestone of the valley is so close to the surface that it prevented the normal procedure of digging the post holes for the vertical logs and then backfilling around the logs."

Daniel Roberdeau was a Frenchman who emigrated to America and was a friend of liberty as a Huguenot. While residing in Philadelphia he became a successful West Indies trading merchant. Roberdeau was a religious man but offered his skills and ability as a patriot during the Revolutionary War as a soldier. Seeing the need for bullets to support war efforts, he organized and built the fort with his own funds. During this period, his status in the army raised him to the level of general and he was elected to Congress. Daniel Roberdeau later moved to Virginia and died there in 1795 at the age of 68. Today the fort is in Sinking Spring Valley, Tyrone Township in Blair County, near the city of Altoona, its county seat. Fort Roberdeau is approximately 12 miles from downtown Altoona. However, historically, the fort in 1778 was in Bedford County. The historical account is best understood by sourcing . Fort Roberdeau is run by county employees, volunteers, and as a not‐for‐profit association. A 230‐acre site includes a reconstructed stockade, exhibits, museum shop, 1858 Pennsylvania barn, picnic area, nature trails and other opportunities to learn about life at the fort. There is plenty of free parking and no charge to visit the site.

Sources: http://fortroberdeau.org/, https://uncoveringpa.com/blair‐county‐fort‐roberdeau, https://motherbedford.com/FortRob.htm, http://colonialhall.com/roberdeau/roberdeau.php, https://prabook.com/web/daniel.roberdeau/3758798, https://www.pacamping.com/attractions/upstate‐pa‐susquehanna‐river‐valley/fort‐roberdeau‐historic‐site, https://www.visitpa.com/region/alleghenies/fort‐roberdeau‐historic‐site‐and‐natural‐area, https://raystown.org/things‐to‐do/fort‐roberdeau‐historic‐site‐ natural‐area, and https://pamuseums.org/museums/fort‐roberdeau/. acuri.net John R. Vincenti Fort Roberdeau