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During their occupation of Illinois Country, the French built a series of forts, each called Fort de Chartres. The fort served as the French headquarters and was designed to provide a military presence to pacify the Fox Indians. The first fort was constructed in 1718 from wood and named in honor of Louis duc de Chartres. This fort deteriorated due to frequent flooding. In 1725 the French built another Fort de Chartres from wood with a larger presence. It measured 160 feet square and protected the four enclosed buildings but did not keep the river from striking again. By 1760, the third and final Fort de Chartres was erected from local limestone. The stone fort was a massive four acre fortress with walls measuring 15 feet high and 3 feet thick. After the French abandoned the fort in 1763, local residents used the limestone and timber to aid in constructing their own buildings. In 1913 the State of Illinois purchased the fort and began reconstruction. Today the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency manages the site. Visitors can see an original fort structure built in 1754, check out the research library, visit the Piethman Museum or attend one of many special events held at the fort. For additional information about Fort de Chartres call (618) 284-7230.
Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site is located just north of Chester overlooking the town of Kaskaskia where the Mississippi and Kaskaskia Rivers meet. This fort was built in 1750 by French residents who feared British attack during the French & Indian War. The fort was destroyed in 1766 by the same people who built it. They opted to destroy the fort rather than allow the British to occupy it after the war ended. During the 1890's Garrison Hill Cemetery was moved to Fort Kaskaskia from the island of Kaskaskia. Today the fort offers a scenic view of the river valley and picnic areas. For more complete information about Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site call (618) 859-3741.
Kaskaskia
Island was originally a peninsula connected to the state
of Illinois. Today it is an island and the only access to the island is
an ancient bridge in St. Mary’s, Missouri. Founded in 1703 by Jesuit
missionaries and named for the Kaskaskia Indian tribe, Kaskaskia Island
or Old Kaskaskia was once a thriving settlement whose population grew
to 2,500 with the western expansion. The Mississippi would prove to be
Kaskaskia’s downfall. In 1881 the Mississippi flooded, changed its
course, and turned Kaskaskia into a 14,000 acre island, cut off from Illinois.
With each flood, the population decreased so that today there are less
than 30 residents. The Kaskaskia Bell is located on the island. The bell
was a 650-pound gift to the local Catholic Church from the French King
Louis XV in 1741. Read this article about the supposed Curse
of Kaskaskia where there is an entertaining explanation of Old Kaskaskia’s
history.
Built in 1854, Mary’s River Covered Bridge is one of few remaining covered bridges in the United States. The bridge spans 90 feet and its interior contains the original oak timbers with which it was built. The bridge is located on Illinois Highway 150 connecting Breman and Chester. It is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Just north of Chester lies the Pierre Menard Home, an elegant nineteenth century residence run by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. This French Colonial home was built in 1802 for Pierre Menard, a local entrepreneur who served as Illinois’ first lieutenant governor. The home has been preserved and contains many of the Menard family’s personal belongings as well as other period pieces. The Pierre Menard Home is open to the public. For details about the home call (618) 859-3031.
A visit to Randolph County Museum will provide a bounty of local history. The museum is located on Taylor Street, next door to the present County Courthouse. The museum building was constructed in 1864 from stone to withstand Confederate cannonballs. French Colonial era records and exhibits as well as Civil War memorabilia are on display at the museum.