The French in Illinois: Fort de Chartres 1722-1765 Southern Illinois History- French Colonial Fort

The French first came to Illinois in the 1600’s after they traveled here looking for a route to asia. They didn't discover that but they did discovered the fertile land of the Mississippi river valley and stayed. This stone fort was built by the French in 1753. Prior there were wooden forts but they were destroyed by the Mississippi River. The fort was occupied by the French until 1765 when it fell into British hands. The Fort covered an area of about four acres. The walls of the four were 15 feet high, two feet thick at the top and three feet at the bottom. The main gate opened to the Mississippi River while the back gate which is now the main entrance faced the Bluffs. What we see here today is a reconstruction on top of the original foundations. Six buildings stood within the Fort: a storehouse, two barracks, the commandants house, the Government House and the guard house.

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