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WILKES-BARRE — Historical markers commemorating two important military strongholds in the early history of the city and the Wyoming Valley — Fort Durkee and Fort Wyoming — were rededicated on Saturday.

The ceremony, which was held by members of the Plymouth-based Shawnee Fort Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, was conducted on South River Street near Wilkes University’s Dorothy Dickson Darte Center.

The two markers have been there since June 1899, according to Kathleen Smith, DAR regent.

“While it was important to place these markers here so many years ago, it is equally important to remember our history today,” Smith said.

Smith led the event and was joined by Councilman Tony Brooks, Councilwoman Beth Gilbert and Tom O’Neill, a board member from the Luzerne County Historical Society.

They gathered with a small crowd at the Fort Durkee historical marker.

The group rededicated the two stone and bronze markers there because it has been 117 years since they were erected, Smith said. The two markers honor parts of local history vital in the development of the city and Northeastern Pennsylvania, she said.

Many of the members of the DAR chapter she heads have ancestors connected to one or both forts, she said.

Fort Durkee

Fort Durkee was built by New England settlers in 1769 and was named after Maj. John Durkee, a Connecticut militia officer. It served as a formidable defense against fierce attacks from Delaware Indians and attacks from Pennsylvania settlers.

It was part of a Yankee settlement located in what is now the city of Wilkes-Barre, Smith said.

In the late 1700s representatives of Pennsylvania’s proprietary government, called “Pennamites” captured the fort, destroyed the Yankee settlement and then prosecuted the Connecticut settlers, she added.

When Fort Durkee was destroyed the Pennsylvanians won the first battle of what became known as the “Yankee-Pennamite Wars.”

Fort Wyoming

Fort Wyoming was built in the same area during the Pennamite War by the Pennsylvania settlers. It was destroyed by the Yankee settlers. It was rebuilt as a Revolutionary War defense but eventually abandoned and destroyed.

Both forts were key strongholds for the original settlers of Wilkes-Barre and surrounding communities during very violent times in the area’s history, Smith said.

Councilman Tony Brooks, who is also president of the Wilkes-Barre Preservation Society, led a brief historical discussion. He commended the DAR for their efforts to keep local history alive.

Members of the DAR performed a small ceremony rededicating the markers and placed a wreath.

Tony Brooks, a Wilkes-Barre councilman and local historian, delivers a speech during a ceremony to rededicate the marker on the site of Fort Durkee and Fort Wyoming in Wilkes-Barre Saturday afternoon. Also shown in the photo is Kathleen Smith, regent Shawnee Fort Chapter of the DAR who also gave remarks.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_TTL061216HistoriicalMarkers-1.jpg.optimal.jpgTony Brooks, a Wilkes-Barre councilman and local historian, delivers a speech during a ceremony to rededicate the marker on the site of Fort Durkee and Fort Wyoming in Wilkes-Barre Saturday afternoon. Also shown in the photo is Kathleen Smith, regent Shawnee Fort Chapter of the DAR who also gave remarks. Clark Van Orden | For Times Leader

By Ralph Nardone

For Times Leader

Reach the Times Leader newsroom at 570-829-7242 or on Twitter @TLnews.