Fort Halifax History
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Fort Halifax was one of three fortifications erected along the Susquehanna River. Fort Halifax, Fort Hunter in Harrisburg, and Fort Augusta in Sunbury were all part of a chain of fortifications built to protect borderland settlers from raiding French and Indian War parties. Built in 1756 from wood hewn from the local Armstrong Sawmill, Colonel William Clapham was charged with its building. He had 200 logs squared and cut into 30’ lengths and proceeded to have the fort built in two weeks “under guard of an officer and thirty men”. It was a 160’ square log stockade with four bastions and was an earthwork about “10 feet high surrounded by a ditch of equal depth.” “The soldiers who garrisoned these forts were Provincial troops, which almost with exception were details from the First Battalion of the Pennsylvania Regiment, under the command of that brave and energetic officer, Lt. Colonel Conrad Weiser.” Fort Halifax was dismantled in 1757 and its garrison moved to Fort Hunter.
In 1926 a stone monument was erected along Route 147 to commemorate Fort Halifax. |
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Fort Halifax Park Today
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This scenic 174-acre park is located off PA Route 147 1/10 mile north of Halifax, PA. The park is bisected by Route 147 with the Susquehanna River bordering its west side and the Armstrong Creek meandering within its eastern side. The property was owned by the Andrew and Sarah Yeager family from 1951 until they sold it to the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy in 2004. The land is protected under a land conservation easement in perpetuity. Halifax Township took ownership of the property in 2006. The Friends of Fort Halifax Park, Inc. was formed to support, maintain, manage, offer educational and nature programs, and recreational activities at the park.
"Found the Fort"! The west side of the park is the site of ongoing archaeological efforts. In June of 2021 a field school led by Dr. Jonathan Burns of the Juniata College Cultural Resources Institute located the historic frontier fort Fort Halifax. Future efforts to uncover additional areas of the fort will be ongoing. Click here to learn more about the success of the 2021 archaeological dig. This part of the property is also home to a historic Schweitzer Bank Barn and its companion farmhouse, both built in the early 1800’s and the oldest structures still standing on the property. The park property, these two buildings, along with the farming outbuildings on the property have all been designated eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (2020). Additionally, the Park and all buildings have also been selected by Preservation PA for their PA A Risk program. Click here to learn more from our local news or read the PA At Risk publication designating why the historic buildings and Fort Halifax Park are at risk. The barn, farmhouse, Yeager House and all buildings are in need of restoration and repurposing to make Fort Halifax Park successful. The Friends of Fort Halifax Park, Inc. have been working tirelessly toward this goal. The Granary building is almost complete, and the park gardens and other areas are enjoying some restoration as well. The park is home to 20 Bluebird nest boxes in partnership with the Bluebird Society of PA, 12 Duck boxes and 3-Sisters Gardens in partnership with the Dauphin County 4H Outdoors Club, a SRTA sponsored campsite, Appalachian Kayak, the annual Colonial Fort Halifax Festival and other events and programs. There are picnic areas with grills, picturesque hiking trails and acres of pristine open fields, meadows, and woodland perfect for hiking, walking, drawing, painting, and picture taking. You may catch site of a majestic Bald Eagle, box turtle, deer, fox, Bluebird, Monarch butterfly, or other animals large and small as you visit and enjoy this peaceful park! For more information click here. |
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Wiconisco Canal
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The Wiconisco Canal is regarded as one of the least documented canals in Pennsylvania, the Canal provided the transportation of one of Pennsylvania's most necessary commodities, anthracite coal. It ran from Millersburg for 15 miles past Halifax to Clarks Ferry Bridge where it connected with the Pennsylvania Canal. Once the coal reached the Pennsylvania Canal it was transported to other parts of the state. More information about the Wiconisco Canal can be found on Wikipedia, by clicking here.
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Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission map Leaflet No. 1, published 1969.
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Sycamore Allee
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At the request of President William G. Harding Sycamore Trees were planted in April 1922 to commemorate the Veterans that fought in World War I. Today the 361 trees that are still standing mark the largest strand of trees from this movement known to exist on the east coast. Raising community awareness of these living memorials will help preserve every one of the remaining sycamore trees. On February 7, 2007, the Sycamore Allee in Halifax and Reed Townships was entered in the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of our Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. The award states, "... These places contribute to our understanding of the historical and cultural foundations of the United States." On April 27, 2013 a dedication took place at Fort Halifax Park.
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Sycamore Allee along Route 147.
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