Fort de la Rivière au Bœuf

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This was the second French fort in Pennsylvania and was located at present day Waterford. It took its name from LeBoeuf Creek where it was located. Begun in July 1753 by Paul Marin de la Malgue , it contained a contingent of soldiers from New France until August 1759.

Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, the new commander on the Ohio, arrived at Fort de la Riviere au Boeuf on December 3, 1753. Major George Washington appeared there on December 11 to deliver Governor Dinwiddie's message demanding by what authority the French had established themselves on Virginia territory. This event, and Saint-Pierre's response, is often noted because of the subsequently famous delivery person. The area was contested militarily until the fort was burned in the summer of 1759 when the French abandoned it on the basis of British successes in the region.