Historic Fort Lebanon marker honored at rededication ceremony near Auburn

Oct. 8—AUBURN — One of Schuylkill County's oldest historical markers was rededicated Sunday by members of the organization that had conceived it more than 100 years ago.

The historic Fort Lebanon marker — installed in 1913 by the Mahantongo Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution — commemorates the fort that was built along the site in 1755 to protect local settlers and soldiers during the French and Indian War.

William V. Lewis Jr., commissioner of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, was the keynote speaker for the ceremony, which was attended by about 50 people, including local dignitaries and DAR members. The event was held next to the marker, along Fort Lebanon Road.

"We're here to rededicate and remember what was once a very remote garrison that came to play an integral role in what was truly a world war," Lewis said.

Lewis said the fort was one of several strongholds, designed to stave off Native American attacks across Pennsylvania, that would come to be known as the "Great Wall of Protection."

Fort Lebanon, he noted, was the sole fort built north of the Blue Mountain. Others were situated along the mountains from Harrisburg to the Delaware Valley.

Built along the Little Schuylkill River, Fort Lebanon covered about 10,000 square feet and was enclosed by a 14-foot stockade fence. Inside the fort were a group of buildings, including quarters for soldiers and settlers, as well as a freshwater spring house.

Lewis said that, by 1755, "horrific" raids had spread through central and eastern Pennsylvania, necessitating the establishment of certain forts for shelter.

"Experience had taught the settlers that the Indians had great success in attacking and overpowering individual farm plots," he said. "The warriors feared solidly built and well-defended forts. ... Members of the community, like here, got together and, using their own resources and labor, they built the forts to serve and protect the citizens."

Lewis said that when the Seven Years' War had spread to North America, soldiers were forced to adapt to new methods of warfare.

"The introduction of Native American warriors on both warring sides meant that European fighting conventions would be tossed aside, often changing to guerrilla-style fighting and ambushes," he said. "Terrorism became a new way to start a battle, and it forever changed the way that battles were fought across the colonies and, indeed, the world."

At the end of the ceremony, members of the Mahantongo Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a commemorative wreath beside the granite marker.

According to the Pottsville Republican, about 1,000 people attended the marker's original dedication ceremony in 1913.

Marria Walsh, vice regent of the Mahantongo DAR, said the rededication is intended to honor the chapter's members, in addition to commemorating the historic site.

"At that time, there were only 15 members to (install markers), among other DAR markers in the county," she said.

In 1949, the Historical & Museum Commission dedicated its own Fort Lebanon marker at Route 895 and Fort Lebanon Road.

Other DAR members, including state regent Marguerite Fritsch, as well as members of the Auburn and Schuylkill County historical societies, joined Walsh in making opening remarks at Sunday's ceremony.

The event was co-sponsored by the Borough of Auburn, the Auburn Historical Society, the Mahantongo Chapter of DAR and the Schuylkill County Historical Society.

Guests were invited to a reception afterward at Auburn Borough Hall.

Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085