Fort Kaskaskia

Fort Kaskaskia (1733-1764, 1772-1807) - First established by the French in 1733. Finally abandoned in 1807. Also known as Fort of the Kaskasquias, Fort Gage and Fort Clark (2).

Fort Kaskaskia Earthworks	Fort Kaskaskia Outline from Park Sign
The Mississippi River at Fort Kaskaskia

French Fort History (1733-1766)

First erected as a rough wooden stockade by the French in 1733 and known as Fort of the Kaskasquias. A more substantial fortification was built by the French during French & Indian War that included a heavy stockade with four blockhouses at the corners. This incarnation of the fort was named Fort Kaskaskia and it remained until destroyed in 1766 by the citizens of Kaskaskia to keep it from the new British owners of the territory.

British Fort History (1772-1776)

In 1772 the British were forced to to leave their headquarters at Fort de Chartres because it was eroding into the river and they chose to fortify the old Jesuit Seminary at Kaskaskia, calling it Fort Gage in honor of General Thomas Gage. The British occupied the area until they were ordered to Fort Detroit in 1776.

American Fort History (1776-1807)

The fort remained without a garrisoned until it was taken by American General Rodgers Clark on 4 Jul 1778. The American forces remained throughout the Revolutionary War.

Current Status

Part of Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site. The remains of Fort Kaskaskia include the outline of long earthworks forming a rough square, with bastions at the corners.

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Location: Fort Kaskaskia Historic State Site, Randolph County, Illinois. Maps & Images Lat: 37.9663889 Long: -89.9072222 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 600'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 265

Links:

• Illinois Historic Preservation Agency - Fort Kaskaskia
• North American Forts - Fort Kaskaskia

Visited: 27 Jun 2010

Fort Kaskaskia Picture Gallery

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  Fort Kaskaskia Entrance Sign

[[Category:Illinois Randolph County]