Fort Franklin ; Schuylkill County

[jeff of pa]

First the Histoty : Written in 1893

 

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[jeff of pa]

Next : the Recent Search

 

[jeff of pa]

ARIELS :

 

[jeff of pa]

MAPS :






On What Property Would you Search ?

They Searched A
Because they couldn't get Permission for C

 

[jeff of pa]

PICS

A



B



C



D



HOTEL



1893's Wertmam Property

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Wow Jeff...Excellent research and post. Thanks for sharing all of this.

 

[bjw]

great research, Jeff! Is it possable, in your opinion, to obtain permission to search the area? If it is I'd be willing to join in the search.
BJW

 

[jeff of pa]

I say it's on Property C

As of that newspaper story They were
unable to contact the owner.

Don't know if he ever did.

My First Problem will Be traveling
about an hour to see if it is still being Planted.

If it is then I will know the Approximate
time to request Permission for.

That story is from the 80's havn't herd anything sinse.

I want to take a ride on the 10th.

will let you know what I find out then.

 

[Cubfan64]

Great example of research!! Hope you have good luck finding it and getting permission to do some detecting Jeff!!

 

[coop]

The exact location of Fort Franklin is still a mystery. About 5 years ago, a friend and I had permission from several of the property owners mentioned in this post. Some of them had a slight idea where it was, but weren't sure. So, we decided to do a search of all the land we had permission for. We spent many hours detecting the grounds with no success. If it was in this area, it may be beyond the depth of a metal detector. Good luck trying to find it. By the way, we used all the same research material mentioned in these posts along with the Frontier Forts of Pa books. Coop

 

[jeff of pa]

The exact location of Fort Franklin is still a mystery. About 5 years ago, a friend and I had permission from several of the property owners mentioned in this post. Some of them had a slight idea where it was, but weren't sure. So, we decided to do a search of all the land we had permission for. We spent many hours detecting the grounds with no success. If it was in this area, it may be beyond the depth of a metal detector. Good luck trying to find it. By the way, we used all the same research material mentioned in these posts along with the Frontier Forts of Pa books. Coop

Thanks Coop
Are the Fields still being Planted ?

The first 4 Pages & the 1893 Map come out
of the Frontier Forts of Pennsylvania Book.
Which I have also.

P.S.
What kind of Finds did you make ?

 

[deepskyal]

That is some great research Jeff.

There are (were) a lot more forts around Pittsburgh than people realize. Read about them years back at the Pa historical society.

I love the research...can't wait til winter to start hiding in the Pennsylvania room at the Carnegie Library. Awesome info there if you ever get the chance.
Al

 

[coop]

The finds that we made looking for Fort Franklin were the typical farm field finds. Pieces of lead, iron and shotgun shells. Nothing that would tie the finds in with Fort Franklin. We had better success at Fort Everett, which is a little further east. We were able to get permission from the property owner. He did say that a guy from Allentown had hunted Everett in the past, but he hadn't been back for several years. Walking through the plowed field, we noticed pieces of pottery shards, so we knew this was the right location. We hunted the field quite a few time of a 3 year period. Coins were found. I found a seated dime, silver 3 cent piece and several large cents. Many buttons were found and some musketballs. Unfortunately, the farmer hasn't plowed the field the last 2 years and when I hunted there back in the spring. I only found a rusty nail. I talked to the owner and he said they don't plan on plowing the field for a few more years. So, I'll just have to check on it in the future and hope for a plow to go through the field. Coop

 

[old man]

Anyone looking for this stie. If you go north on Rt. 309 and go over Blue Mountain. At the base of the mountain on the left there used to be a parking area with an historical sign that said that was the site of the fort. I haven't driven past that site in a number of years, as I live about 2 hours away. However, I remember abouty 30 or 40 years ago the sign was plainly visable. There used to be a rest stop with picnic tables by the sign. Hope that helps.

 

[jeff of pa]

Anyone looking for this stie. If you go north on Rt. 309 and go over Blue Mountain. At the base of the mountain on the left there used to be a parking area with an historical sign that said that was the site of the fort. I haven't driven past that site in a number of years, as I live about 2 hours away. However, I remember abouty 30 or 40 years ago the sign was plainly visable. There used to be a rest stop with picnic tables by the sign. Hope that helps.

If you look behind that sign you will find This :

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,201296.0.html

not the fort site But sign was put there because of the rest Stop
& better Chance of being seen from 309 then Bolich road

 

[jeff741972]

I went by the fort site today, its in weeds. If that area between bolich and blue mountain is it. Looking at the 1875 map those houses are all still there, towards the end of blue mountain rd at 309 is another foundation. The marker sign really isnt too far off from the field. There is now posted signs and a cable across the road where the historic marker stands and the old roadside rest.


I also checked out that other place, foundation and steps are in tact, no swing time though, if it can stay just like it is till next weekend im gonna try it..

 

[jeff of pa]

My Opinion

On Maps
& Site

in 1875 309 didn't exist.
I Believe this is where it was placed later



The early 1890's Hand drawn Map
is not to scale or Surveyed.
Was probably Drawn while Standing
at one Spot.

so 309 goes more like this




SO

the BLUE ARROW shows the 1875 Property of A. HOPPS

& the 1890's Property T. Wesley Kistler

the Red Arrow Foundation

Was the TENANT HOUSE

ORANGE X J. David in 1875

PURPLE ARROW S. Hartman 1875 in 1890's
SAM WERTMAN in my opinion Same person owned Hotel
& Corner House arrow is pointing at.
& One or the Map Makers Couldn't understand the Guys
Voice. One hear Hartman the other heard wertman

BROWN ARROW G Hartman in 1875 so I believe the Purple was Sam Hartman

GREEN ARROW 1875 H Kemerer 1890's Harry Kemerer.

M. SHOOK Home of 1875 is Gone

 

[jeff of pa]

I also checked out that other place, foundation and steps are in tact, no swing time though, if it can stay just like it is till next weekend im gonna try it..

Let us Know how it goes

 

[jeff741972]

You bet.

So where do you think it is, the fort that is? It sure would be neat to see that fort uncovered, its going to be a long winter thats for sure. We still dont have any noticeable snow, but up the hill in hometown theres some laying around. I talked to a friend of mine last night who was going through western Pa on I80 and out there the lake effect is doin its job.

 

[jeff of pa]

on the highest point in the Field
I Have Marked.

Owned by the people living in the Former Hotel