Wilkes-Barre in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort Durkee

Photographed by Michael Beatty, May 3, 2009

1. FORT DURKEE Marker

Inscription. First fort built by the Connecticut settlers; Begun in April 1796. Used during the first Pennamite War against Pennsylvania authorities. 1769-71. It stood 1000 feet from Ft. Wyoming.

Erected 1947 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, French and Indian. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1796.

Location. 41° 14.695′ N, 75° 53.4′ W. Marker is in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. It is on South River Street near South Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wilkes Barre PA 18702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Coal Region

and in the Wyoming Valley.

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: Lyman H. Howe (here, next to this marker); George Catlin (here, next to this marker); Fred Morgan Kirby (a few steps from this marker); Chase Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sullivan Expedition against the Iroquois Indians (within shouting distance of this marker); Franz Kline (1910 - 1962) (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Kirby Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Dorothy Dickson Darte Center (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilkes-Barre.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . Fort Durkee - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 20, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Additional commentary.
1. Marker to be refurbished.
The marker plate has taken down to be sandblasted, primed and repainted & any other repairs needed. It will be put back shortly.

— Submitted March 14, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 22, 2021

2. Fort Durkee Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2009, by Michael Beatty of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,829 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 3, 2009, by Michael Beatty of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on May 23, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.