Fort Belle Fontaine

Fort Belle Fontaine (1805-1826) - First established in 1805 by Ltc. Jacob Kingsbury, 1st U.S. Infantry as Cantonment Belle Fontaine. Named after a local pure water cave spring. Moved in 1811 and renamed Fort Belle Fontaine. Abandoned in 1826.

Fort Belle Fontaine History

(1805-1810) Cantonment Belle Fontaine

The original Cantonment Belle Fontaine was built on the low south bank of the Missouri River at the mouth of Cold Creek by three companies of the 1st U.S. Infantry under Ltc. Jacob Kingsbury. The original post included an "Indian Factory" or government operated trading post but that was function was transferred to Fort Osage and Fort Madison by 1808.

As the only military post in the new Louisiana Territory, Fort Belle Fontaine served as a jumping off point for many explorers and expeditions into the new territory including the Lewis and Clark expedition and two of Zebulon Pike's expeditions.

Building the post on the low bank proved to be a mistake and by 1809 the post was in bad shape and the garrison was plagued by disease. Ltc. Daniel Bissell assumed command in 1809 and began moving the post to the bluff above the bank.

(1811-1828) Fort Belle Fontaine

The move to the new Fort Belle Fontaine was complete in 1811 and the new post included 30 buildings, several block houses and a rectangular palisade. The post continued to host explorations into the new territory and increasing numbers of settlers. The post's role in the War of 1812 was limited but the post mounted several operations against the British and served as an arsenal and supply point for the area. By 1826 the isolation and deterioration of the post lead to the decision to build a new post and separate arsenal closer to St. Louis. The military garrison remained at Fort Belle Fontaine until Jefferson Barracks was established in 1826. The post was abandoned in 1826 but continued as a storage depot for military supplies until 1834.

Current Status

Part of Fort Bellefontaine County Park, Missouri.

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Location: Fort Bellefontaine County Park, St. Louis County, Missouri.

Maps & Images

Lat: 38.827748 Long: -90.213989

Multi Maps from ACME
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Maps from Google
Elevation: 489'

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 453-454

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