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Listed in Fortress, Historical landmark, Lewis and Clark Sites, Pioneer History, Visited by Old Folks Adventures

• 2006, 1350 State Rte 155
  Prairie Du Rocher, Illinois 62277
• http://www.fortdechartres.us/

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1. Overview
2. Reviews
3. Map & Directions
4. Contact/Other

Description

On the Mississippi River floodplain near Prairie du Rocher, Fort de Chartres State Historic Site preserves one of the most important reminders of Illinois Country’s French colonial past. France established forts here to protect its interests in the Mississippi Valley, and the stone fort whose remains visitors see today was begun in the 1750s. After France ceded its North American possessions to Britain in 1763, the fort’s role changed, but its story remained tied to the shifting colonial powers and communities of the region.

Much of the fort has been reconstructed from historic plans, including the gateway and several interior buildings. The original stone powder magazine still stands, giving visitors a rare physical connection to the 18th-century site. Exhibits and interpretation help place the fort within the broader history of French, Indigenous, and British activity in the Illinois Country. It is a rewarding stop for travelers interested in colonial history, historic preservation, and the layered past of the Mississippi River Valley.

Historical References / Learn More

• Fort de Chartres State Historic Site — Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Listing Tags

French Colonial History, Historic Preservation, Illinois History, Military History, Mississippi River Valley, Prairie du Rocher, Randolph County, Reconstructed Fort

Street

2006, 1350 State Rte 155

Latitude

38.084807

Longitude

-90.158109

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings

Historic Architecture

Atmosphere

Historic

Crowd

Family-friendly, Tourists

Children

Good for kids

Parking

Free parking lot, Usually plenty of parking, On-site parking

Country

USA

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