Fort de Chartres

For more than a century, beginning in 1763, France claimed the Illinois Country, which was a large undefined area stretching from the lakes Michigan and Superior to the Ohio and Missouri Rivers.

With a reorganization of the French government at New Orleans in 1718, a contingent of army officers, soldiers, engineers and others, was sent here to construct a fort, hoping that a military presence would pacify the Fox Indians, whom were frequently attacking the French villages. This wooden fort was constructed on the Mississippi River, about 18 miles north of Kaskaskia.

Upon completion in 1720, the French officials named the stockade Fort de Chartres, to honor Louis duc de Chartres, the son of the regent of France.
The fort was a palisade of squared logs, surrounded by a dry moat. Bastions built at opposite corners provided cover fire for each of the walls. Inside were several buildings used for storehouses, barracks and a counting house, which was used by the Indies Company, a commercial enterprise.
With the frequent flooding of the Mississippi River, the fort deteriorated rapidly.

Around 1725, a new fort was began, farther inland from the river. This stockade was about 160 feet square, with bastions at each corner. Again, other buildings were constructed inside the fort, with a small chapel and a few private residences located outside of it. The bastions contained other structures as well, including a powder magazine, a prison and a stable.

By 1731, the Company of the Indies was gone, due to poor relations with the Indians, bad management and failure to find precious metals. Having been in control of the region, they turned Louisiana and its government back to the King.
The fort's condition was precarious. In bad repair by 1742, its garrison was moved to Kaskaskia in 1747.

French leaders had discussed building a stone fort to protect their interests on the Mississippi as early as 1730. Even though the region failed to yield precious metals, holding the Illinois Country was deemed essential for trade and defense. Lead had been discovered on the west side of the river, but more importantly, the rich bottom land produced plentiful crops that made the region Louisiana's breadbasket.

Construction of the new fort was delayed while the government debated its location. Once it was decided to build near the location of the earlier forts, then a shortage of skilled workmen caused further delay. By 1752, workmen were deserting and no replacements were being provided.

Once the building was started, it proceeded slowly. Limestone was quarried from the bluffs north of Prairie du Rocher and conveyed across a small lake by raft, then hauled to the site by oxen. In 1754 the Governor reported to superiors the construction was nearly completed, but work continued for many years afterward. In 1760, Louisiana's chief fiscal officer reported the fort would be completed by years end.

The stone fort served as France's Illinois Country headquarters for only ten years. France surrendered Illinois, along with most of its North American possession, to Great Britain in the 1763 Treaty of Paris, which ended the Seven Years' War. British troops of the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment took possession of Fort de Chartres on October 10, 1765.

The British made little use of the fort, which they renamed Fort Cavendish. Engineers attempted to control the erosion caused by the Mississippi, which was threatening to swallow the south wall. The military leaders in North America soon deemed the fort of little practical value and ordered it abandoned in 1771, ending its use as a military post. After this abandonment, they moved to Kaskaskia and occupied the Jesuit complex site which was empty. They built a stockage around it and called it Fort Gage. The Jesuit home was in the southeastern section of the Village of Kaskaskia on the west side of the Kaskaskia River. The Jesuits also owned land on the east side of Kaskaskia River.

By 1772, the futility of controlling the rivers erosion of the fort was underscored, as the south wall and bastions collapsed into the Mississippi.
In the 1820's, visitors noted trees growing in the walls and buildings, which were literally disappearing, as the local residents scavenged stone and timber to serve as material for other structures. By 1900, none of the wall existed above ground level and all of the buildings, except the powder magazine, had vanished completely.

In 1913 the Illinois legislature authorized the purchase of the stone fort site. The crumbling powder magazine was the only surviving military structure, which was restored about 1917. In the 1920's, workers exposed portions of the building and wall foundations. In the 1930's, the Works Progress Administration reconstructed the gateway and two stone buildings.

Visiting the fort today, you will see a partially rebuilt eighteenth-century fort. The north wall, complete with its bastions and gatehouse, contains musket ports and embrasures for cannon. In the east bastion stands the rebuilt powder magazine, which is considered by many to be the oldest building in Illinois.

Other buildings of the forts interior include the guards house and the kings storehouse. The storehouse is home to the fort's museum, research library and office. The east barracks and the government house have been outlined with wooden frames,
(ghosting), to provide a sense of their original size and form.

During the 1993 flood, Fort de Chartres was inundated by fifteen feet of water. Lasting nearly a month, the flood severely damaged the fort and surrounding area. With the help and hard work of volunteers and staff, the site was refurbished.

Fort de Chartres State Historic Site is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It is closed for major winter holidays. There are no camping facilities, but picnicking areas are plentiful. All is handicapped accessible

Several popular events take place at the fort throughout the year, Kids Day, held the first weekend in May, features eighteenth-century games, contests and crafts for children of all ages.
The two-day Rendezvous held the first weekend in June, features military competitions, dancing, music and era craftsmen. It is attended by the thousands.
The first weekend in October is the Seven Years' War event.
Other events occur at different times throughout the summer.

Pictures of Fort de Chartres

For additional information on events write:
Site Manager
Fort de Chartres Historic Site
1350 State Route 155
Prairie du Rocher, IL 62277
or call:
618-284-7230
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
State of Illinois

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