Pittsburgh's Beginnings
Let me start out by saying that I’m not a historian, but feel it’s important (and interesting) to put Pittsburgh in a little bit of context for those who are not familiar with local history. That said, I apologize ahead of time for any inaccuracies, broad generalizations, or moments of significance omitted.
The area of Western Pennsylvania where Pittsburgh resides has been inhabited for millennia. In fact, the earliest known human settlement on the North American continent lies only 45 miles outside the city at the Meadowcroft Rockshelter. Native Americans occupied this site 16,000 years ago.
The tract of land now known as Pittsburgh’s Point State Park, at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, first became important in Western history around 1753 when it was discovered by George Washington. The British quickly dispatched a band of men to claim the land for England and to establish a military & trading outpost.
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