Downtown in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The King's Garden
Feeding Pittsburgh in the 18th Century
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 11, 2020
1. The King's Garden Marker
Inscription.
The King's Garden. Feeding Pittsburgh in the 18th Century. You are standing on what was once the parade ground of Fort Pitt, one of the largest military fortifications in 18th century North America. British and colonial American soldiers built this massive fort between 1759 and 1761 in order to control the strategic Forks of the Ohio River (now Point State Park). The town of Pittsburgh grew up around Fort Pitt.
To feed the growing population, Fort Pitt's British commanders set aside nearly forty acres of land along the Allegheny River for the King's Garden, named for the British King George III. Stretching three-quarters of a mile along the Allegheny River from Fort Pitt, the Garden included a bowling green, a fenced deer park, a large orchard, and a series of fields, pastures, and garden plots laid out in geometrical patterns. The plantings that make up the green or living walls of the cafι reflect the Garden's patterns.
Fort Pitt's garrison raised fruits, vegetables, and grains in the King's Garden. These local crops, rich in vitamins and nutrients, supplemented the typical military diet of salted meat, flour, dried peas, and rice. Pittsburgh's early inhabitants enjoyed strolling around the grounds for many years and continued to use the term the King's Garden even after the colonists declared their independence from King George III.
You are standing on what was once the parade ground of Fort Pitt, one of the largest military fortifications in 18th century North America. British and colonial American soldiers built this massive fort between 1759 and 1761 in order to control the strategic Forks of the Ohio River (now Point State Park). The town of Pittsburgh grew up around Fort Pitt.
To feed the growing population, Fort Pitt's British commanders set aside nearly forty acres of land along the Allegheny River for the King's Garden, named for the British King George III. Stretching three-quarters of a mile along the Allegheny River from Fort Pitt, the Garden included a bowling green, a fenced deer park, a large orchard, and a series of fields, pastures, and garden plots laid out in geometrical patterns. The plantings that make up the green or living walls of the cafι reflect the Garden's patterns.
Fort Pitt's garrison raised fruits, vegetables, and grains in the King's Garden. These local crops, rich in vitamins and nutrients, supplemented the typical military diet of salted meat, flour, dried peas, and rice. Pittsburgh's early inhabitants enjoyed strolling around the grounds for many years and continued to use the term the King's Garden even after the colonists declared their independence from King George III.
Location. 40° 26.46′ N, 80° 0.504′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from Three Rivers Heritage Trail. Located on the face of the Cafι at the Point near in Point State Park, coming from downtown, it sits on the left side of the walkway before the underpass to the park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15222, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Ohio River Valley, 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 Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 11, 2020
Another marker is no longer nearby. Forbes Road (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . Fort Pitt gardens fed area's early settlers. Article published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Saturday, March 14, 2009 (Submitted on June 20, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, June 20, 2011
3. The King's Garden
Mural etched into stainless steel facade
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, June 20, 2011
4. Cafι at the Point
Photographed by Allan Ramsay (British Painter), circa 1761/1762
5. King George III
In coronation robes
Photographed by John Rocque, circa 1765
6. Plan of Fort Pitt
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,831 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 15, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 20, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
