Point State Park, located in Allegheny County, at the tip of Pittsburgh's "Golden Triangle," commemorates and preserves the strategic and historic role of the area during the French and Indian War. The area, which by the early 1950s had deteriorated into a commercial slum, has been reclaimed and is now one of the nation's outstanding historical parks and tourist attractions. It has been designated a National Historic Landmark due to its past historic role.
Paved walk promenades lead the visitor along the riverfront and to overlooks for dramatic views of the industrialized city, busy waterways and impressive hillside scenery. Tree, shrub, and flower plantings, along with a 150 feet tall fountain enhance the beauty of this unique park at the "Forks of the Ohio."
Environmental Education
Of the five original bastions (projecting parts of a fortification) of old Fort Pitt, three have been restored.
The Music Bastion, which serves as a permanent exhibit, has been excavated to expose parts of the original fort's foundation.
Nearby Attractions
Three Rivers Stadium, across the Allegheny River, serves as the home for professional baseball and football plus other events.Professional hockey, an International Folk Festival and other events occur nearby at the Civic Arena. The Civic Arena features the world's first and largest retractable dome roof.
Visitors can ride the Monongahela or Duquesne Inclines to the top of nearby 600-foot Mt. Washington for an overlook of the city. Boating enthusiasts can tour the three rivers on a fleet of excursion boats. Patrons of the arts can enjoy the Pittsburgh Symphony, Civic Light Opera or Pittsburgh Ballet.
Phipps Conservatory houses thousands of exotic and native plants under 2.5 acres of glass. One can see exotic animals at the city's Highland Park Zoo and Aquazoo or extinct animals at Dinosaur Hall at Carnegie Institute and Museum.
The majestic Fountain at the headwaters of the Ohio River was dedicated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on August 30, 1974, marking the completion of the 36 acre Point State Park which required 29 years in planning and construction. The fountain is operated daily from 7 a.m. to 12 midnight weather permitting, during the spring, summer and fall seasons.
The Fort Pitt Museum, housed in the Monongahela Bastion, and one of the five original bastions of old Fort Pitt, is devoted to the frontier period of local history.
The Music Bastion in the eastern section of the park has been partially excavated to expose as a permanent exhibit part of the Fort's original foundation.
The Fort Pitt Blockhouse is the oldest authentic building in Western Pennsylvania. It was built by Colonel Henry Bouquet in 1764.
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