Irwin in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort Walthour

Erected about 1774 near this place

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, November 1, 2014

1. Fort Walthour Marker

Inscription.
This stockade, enclosing a blockhouse and several buildings, was built by the pioneers of the Brush Creek community on the plantation of Christopher Walthour. It was the chief place of refuge and defense of the early settlers for more than a decade against the frequent Indian raids made in this section and throughout western Pennsylvania.

Erected 1938 by Norwin High, The Irwin, and North Huntingdon Township Schools.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1774.

Location. 40° 19.222′ N, 79° 41.1′ W. Marker is in Irwin, Pennsylvania, in Westmoreland County. It is on Pennsylvania Avenue 0.2 miles west of Rocky Road, on the right when traveling east. Located behind Kohl's in Irwin. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Irwin PA 15642, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Laurel Highlands

and in Greater Pittsburgh.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia.

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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 are within walking distance of this marker: Brush Hill (approx. 0.4 miles away); In Memory of the Unknown (approx. half a mile away); Union Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Immaculate Conception Parish Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); Shafton Veterans Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); Straw Pump Community Honor Roll (approx. 0.8 miles away); Biddle Honor Roll (approx. 0.8 miles away); Westmoreland City Honor Roll & Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Irwin.

Also see . . . Blockhouse an example of private 'fort-itude'. April 24, 2009 article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Submitted on November 1, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, November 1, 2014

2. Fort Walthour Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 3,299 times since then and 122 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 1, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.