Coraopolis in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Vance Fort

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, November 3, 2012

1. Vance Fort Marker

Inscription. Near the corner of Second Avenue and Chestnut Street there was erected, about 1776, by Captain Robert Vance of Virginia.
Pioneer settler on this site, a stockade known as Montour Bottoms or Vance Fort
This stockade was manned by Washington County militia during the Indian uprising of 1782.

Erected 1937 by Coraopolis Borough, Semi-Centennial.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 40° 31.039′ N, 80° 9.847′ W. Marker was in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It could be reached from Fifth Avenue (Pennsylvania Route 51) 0.1 miles south of Mill Street, on the right when traveling south. Previously located on the left corner wall of the Coraopolis Borough Building/Police Station. Police station has moved to a new building, unsure of status of marker. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Coraopolis PA 15108, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Greater Pittsburgh.

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It was also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

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

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, November 3, 2012

2. Vance Fort Marker

(Submitted on February 16, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Additional commentary.
1. Vance Fort Marker Relocation
I heard from the Borough of Coraopolis on February 18, 2019. They said the marker is in safekeeping and was removed when they relocated to their new municipal building. Plans are in the works to erect a memorial to commemorate the fort at the original site (1st Avenue and Chestnut Street).

— Submitted February 20, 2019, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Site of Vance Fort image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, January 20, 2013

3. Site of Vance Fort

Approximate area at corner of Second and Chestnut

Captain Robert Vance grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 16, 2014

4. Captain Robert Vance grave

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,916 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 3, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on January 21, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on March 16, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.