Time was, in the '70s & '80s (1770 - 1780, that is) that Western PA and West Virginia were the Western Frontier of our country. Pioneer families moved onto the land at great risk, for the Native Americans resented their intrusions, fencing of the land, etc. and often sent war parties out to discourage the settlers. The settlers would chose one farm and fortify it as a safe haven in times of Indian rampage. Prickett's Fort served that purpose from 1770-1780. The brick house was built by a Prickett grandson in the 1850s when the area was no longer the Western Frontier.