Fort Casimir

Shortly after his arrival to take up his position as up as Director-General of New Netherland in 1647, Peter Stuyvesant, attempted to re-assert control of the region and its lucrative trade.

In his initial attempt at control, he effected the construction of Fort Beversreede near the terminus of the Great Minquas Path, at the mouth of the Schuylkill.

[2] The location of earlier-built Fort Nassau on the east bank (now New Jersey) of the river, had proved disadvantageous since the richest fur-trapping area of the native Susquehannock and Lenape populations was inland to the west.

John Paul Jacquet was immediately appointed vice director, making New Amstel a regional stronghold of the Dutch colony, [4][5] subordinate to New Amsterdam.

It has been suggested that the Peach War attack was a retaliation, as the indigenous population considered the treaty with the Swedes to include a defence alliance.

[9][10] It has also been suggested that the fort was named for Ernst Casimir of Nassau-Dietz who was also Stadtholder of Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe, but there is no documentary evidence to support this idea.