Fort Celeste
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HistoryEstablished in 1789 by the Spanish colonial government and located on the west bank of the Mississippi at present-day New Madrid, Missouri. Fort Celeste was erected at the direction of Spanish Governor Estevan Miro. The original fort was built too close to the river and was damaged when a bank eroded away. The post was rebuilt farther down on more elevated land sometime before 1796. The new fort was a palisaded square, with blockhouses at all four angles and surrounded by a moat. It mounted eight cannons. The post was garrisoned in 1796 with 24 army regulars, it served as the residence of the Spanish commandant of the Illinois or Upper Louisiana military district. All vessels using the river were stopped at this point for payment of duty and search of cargo. A small Spanish fleet was anchored by the fort to guard the river. New Madrid's first census was taken on 31 Dec 1796 and showed 159 families. In 1800 France regained control of the area that would later become the Louisiana Purchase and the Spanish departed. In 1801 the fort burned down and was rebuilt. In 1803 the Louisiana Purchase including the New Madrid area was completed and on 18 Mar 1804, Fort Celeste was turned over to Captain Daniel Bissell, 1st U.S.Infantry. The fort was regarrisoned by U.S. troops for a time but was abandoned for the Post at New Madrid later in 1804.
Current Status Marker only located across from the New Madrid Museum. The plaque has fallen off the stone and has deteriorated to the point where it is not readable.
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Visited: 9 Sep 2020
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