Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

A Century of Protection

The Block House in America

Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

1. A Century of Protection Marker

Inscription. Captain Daniel Cushing, 2nd U.S. Artillery, noted in his diary of 16 February 1813, that the men “placed one twelve pound cannon in the lower blockhouse. Gen. [William Henry] Harrison gave notice this evening that he expected to be attacked every night.” Cushing was writing of Fort Meigs, Ohio, which the soldiers had been constructing. During his stint there, Cushing outlasted a siege by the British in early May 1813, which lasted just over a week, and another attempted siege and attack late that July.

Blockhouses could stand alone, or be inside a fortification. At Fort Meigs, they were along the exterior palisades of the fort. Blockhouses were typically made of timber and often had a second story that projected over the first floor, to better defend the area below. The walls had loop holes for troops to fire through. If strong enough, the second floor could hold artillery. Blockhouses proved reliable and were utilized in other conflicts and areas, including the French and Indian War, westward expansion, early Florida conflicts, and the Civil; War.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in

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this topic list: War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #09 William Henry Harrison series list.

Location. 40° 12.267′ N, 77° 9.519′ W. Marker is near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. It can be reached from Army Heritage Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania and in Greater Harrisburg.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Smallpox (within shouting distance of this marker); General Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion (within shouting distance of this marker); Lieutenant Colonel William Orlando Darby

The blockhouse display image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

2. The blockhouse display

(within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Smallpox (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Smallpox (within shouting distance of this marker); The Carlisle Forge (within shouting distance of this marker); Specialist Fourth Class Robert D. Law (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Colonel Robert W. Black (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Colonel Robert W. Black (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Blockhouse interior - loopholes and stairs image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

3. Blockhouse interior - loopholes and stairs

Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 395 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 1, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.