Fort Henry (Pennsylvania)

Fort Henry
Berks County, Pennsylvania (near Bethel Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania)
Site information
TypeMilitary fort
Location
Fort Henry
Location of Fort Henry in Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°30′09″N 76°19′59″W / 40.50250°N 76.33306°W / 40.50250; -76.33306
Site history
Built1756
In use1756–1759, 1763
Battles/warsFrench and Indian War
Pontiac's War
Garrison information
Past
commanders
Captain Christian Busse
Lieutenant Samuel Weiser
Garrison17-109 Provincial troops
Designated1959

Fort Henry was a stockade fort built in early 1756 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, to protect local settlers from Native American war parties, which were raiding the area frequently during the French and Indian War. It was one of the larger forts built in a defensive line, 12-20 miles apart, intended to safeguard the more densely-populated communities of the eastern Province of Pennsylvania. It was abandoned in 1759, and then briefly put back into use in 1763 during Pontiac's War.:70–99