Pittsburgh City Guide

The second largest city in Pennsylvania and the seat of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh has undergone not one, but two revitalization efforts that have transformed it from a smoggy, rust-belt city to a gleaming, modern urban center. The new Pittsburgh now boasts modern architecture, an extensive park system, clean air, a thriving arts and culture scene, and the most user-friendly airport in the nation.

In 1754, tensions were mounting between France and England over the American colonies. Just prior to the French and Indian War, the French constructed Fort Duquesne where the Ohio River forks into the Allegheny and the Monongahela. The British made several attempts to capture the fort, but were repelled and defeated by the French and their native allies. In 1758, General John Forbes negotiated with the Delaware and Shawnee tribes, convincing them to abandon their alliance with the French. In return, Britain would return their land to them once the French were driven out. Forsaken by their allies, the French abandoned and destroyed Fort Duquesne. However, rather than withdraw as promised, Forbes ordered the construction of a new fort on the site. The garrison was named Fort Pitt, in honor of British Secretary of State William Pitt the Elder. The small settlement that eventually grew up around the fort was named Pittsborough.