Tracing George Washington's mark on Pittsburgh
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Our first president was not only integral in founding the nation, but he also played a role in Pittsburgh getting its name and its famous H.
Why it matters: George Washington spent some important moments in the greater Pittsburgh region — including events that shaped his leadership skills, his political acumen and even his famous teeth — and Presidents Day is a perfect time for a history lesson.
The big picture: George Washington had several ventures in Western Pennsylvania, both in his formative years as a militiaman in the British Army and during his presidency, Heinz History Center CEO Andy Masich tells Axios.
- In 1758 after General John Forbes captured an abandoned Fort Duquesne at the Point, Washington and Forbes renamed it Fort Pitt and the surrounding town "Pittsbourgh," after William Pitt, then leader of the British cabinet.
- Washington and Forbes used the Scottish "bourgh," a variation of borough, as opposed to the German "burg," so that's why Pittsburgh has the H, said Masich.
What they're saying: "He lost his first tooth at Fort Necessity, and by the time he died, he only had one of his original teeth left," Masich said, noting Washington's famous dentures.
- Washington lost that 1754 battle at Fort Necessity in Fayette County, which kicked off the French and Indian War.
- Under General Edward Braddock, Washington also lost a later battle in 1755 about 10 miles from Fort Duquesne at the Point, and he learned then that there was no shame in retreating if you could live to fight another day. He used that lesson to win the Revolutionary War, according to Ken Burns' American Revolution docuseries.
- "If it wasn't for George Washington keeping those troops in the field, we wouldn't be the country we are today. And it is good that Pittsburghers recognize that his early career started right here," said Masich.
Zoom in: Before those battles, Washington, on his way back from Northwestern Pennsylvania, reportedly fell off a raft trying to cross the icy Allegheny River in 1753 and took refuge on a small island just upriver from Downtown.
- The city's Herrs Island was later renamed to Washington's Landing in his honor, even though Masich said Washington actually landed on Wainwright's Island, a small strip of land that was later reclaimed by the riverbank.
Washington returned close to the region (Bedford) in 1794 to quell the Whiskey Rebellion, the uprising that formed among Western Pennsylvania distillers after Congress passed an excise task on whiskey.
- 13,000 of his troops marched on to Western Pennsylvania, and their mere presence quieted the rebellion.
Go deeper: Masich is hosting a lecture delving into more Washington facts at the History Center on Sunday from 2pm-3:30pm.
- It's his only lecture of the year and part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration.
Tickets can be purchased here. $20 for adult nonmembers. Free for kids and members.