Southern Illinois

Last Update: 20/DECEMBER/2024

Compiled by Pete Payette - Š2024 American Forts Network

Fort Monterey
(1812), near Hardin ?
A blockhouse located on the Illinois River about 20 miles upriver from its mouth at the Mississippi River.

Nearby (or the same fort ?), was Prairie Marcot Blockhouse (1811), aka Lt. John Campbell's Blockhouse, a territorial militia fort located on the west side of the river 19 miles from its mouth.

Illinois River Blockhouse
(1811), near Grafton
A territorial militia blockhouse built at or near the mouth of the Illinois River.

Alton Blockhouse
(1812), Alton
A settlers' blockhouse.

Camp Alton
(1862 - 1865), Alton
A military prison camp during the Civil War. Also near here was the Union encampment Camp Dubois (1).

Camp River DuBois
(1803 - 1804), near Wood River
A stockaded winter encampment with five cabins, located at the mouth of the Wood River (River DuBois). This was the departure point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition in May 1804.

The fortified camp has been recreated in nearby Hartford at the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center at the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site.
See also Digital Research Library of Illinois History

Wood River Fort
(1812), Wood River
A settlers' fort.

George Moore's Blockhouse
(1808), near Wood River
A settlers' blockhouse.

Hartford Fort
(1812), near Hartford
A settlers' fort located opposite the Missouri River.

Jones' Fort (1)
(1807), near Edwardsville
A settlers' fort north of town, probably near Indian Creek.

Paul Beck's Blockhouse
(1811, 1831), near Edwardsville
A settlers' fort located on John (?) Beck's farm, three miles east of town. Rebuilt during the 1831 Sauk War.

Fort Russell
(1812 - 1816), Edwardsville
This five-gun 150-feet square stockade with two opposing blockhouses was an important mustering station and regional supply depot for the Illinois territorial militia and rangers. A company of U.S. Army Regulars (7th Infantry) was posted here during 1812-13. Also referred to as Camp Russell. The guns emplaced here were old British guns supposedly found and taken from the ruins of Fort de Chartres. Fort Russell was dismantled sometime after 1816 by the local settlers for building materiél, and what was left was razed by fire in 1837. Presumed site located about one and three-quarter miles northwest of town on Springfield Road, just east of IL 159.

Thomas Kirkpatrick's Fort
(1811), Edwardsville
A settlers' blockhouse located 300 yards from Cahokia Creek at the end of present-day "O" Street just off of North Main Street. Brother to James and Frank.

James Kirkpatrick's Fort
(1811), near Edwardsville
A settlers' blockhouse located three miles southwest of town. Brother to Frank and Thomas.

Frank Kirkpatrick's Fort
(1811), near Edwardsville
A settlers' blockhouse located southeast of town, east of brother James' fort.

Joseph Bartlett's Blockhouse
(1810's), Pin Oak Township, Madison County
A settlers' blockhouse, it stood until 1834 when it was moved and converted to stables.

Milton Fort
(1812), Madison County
An unnamed settlers' fort located at the old townsite of Milton in Madison County.

Stockade Fort
(1812), Madison County
An unnamed settlers' fort. Undetermined location.

Preuitt's Blockhouse
(1812 - 1817), Madison County
A settlers' blockhouse. Undetermined location. Dismantled in 1817 and sold for lumber.

Lofton's Blockhouse
(1812), Nameoki Township, Madison County
A settlers' blockhouse located in the "American Bottom" area.

Hayes' Blockhouse
(1812), Nameoki Township, Madison County
A settlers' blockhouse located in the "American Bottom" area.

Downing's Station
(1810 ? - unknown), Madison County
A settlers' fort located somewhere in the southern part of the county.

Jones' Fort (2)
(1807, 1832), near Pocahontas
A settlers' fortified cabin located on the east side of Shoal Creek at the fork of the east and west branches, about two and one-half miles east of town, and about eight miles southwest of Greenville. Later known as James Green's Fort. There is a "Greene Cemetery Road" just south.

Capt. Isaac Hill's Fort
(1806/1808 - 1817), near Greenville
A settlers' stockaded blockhouse with two interior cabins, located on the west side of East Fork Shoal Creek five miles south of town. Garrisoned by the territorial militia until 1813. Attacked by Indians in September 1814. Became the first courthouse of Bond County in 1817 - 1821. Monument erected in 1918. Actual site found in 2001 and a replica blockhouse with stockade and cabin has been reconstructed (since 2011) on the grounds of the American Farm Heritage Museum at 1395 Museum Ave..

Lyndley's Fort
(1800's), Bond County
A settlers' fort. Undetermined location.

John Hill's Fort
(1811 - 1830's ?), Carlyle
A settlers' fort located six blocks south of the present-day courthouse, at Lake Carlyle. Also known as Carlyle Fort. John Hill operated a ferry across the river. The fort was possibly still in use during the Black Hawk War.

Journey's Fort
(1812), Aviston
A settlers' blockhouse located north of town.

Nat Hill's Fort
(1812), near Pierron
A settlers' fort located a few miles above the mouth of Goshen (Doza) Creek, on the east side of the creek east of town.

Fort Sumter
(unknown date), Highland
No data.

Silver Creek Fort
(1812), near Troy
A settlers' fort located on Silver Creek northeast of town. Possibly Shelton's Fort below ?

(William ?) Shelton's Fort
(1809), Madison County
A settlers' fort located on Silver Creek.

Brazil's Station
(1810), Madison County
A settlers' fort located on Terrapin Ridge, five miles from Shelton's Fort.

Chilton's Fort
(1812 ?), St. Jacob
A settlers' blockhouse located about two miles west of town. It was never attacked. Also known as Fort Augusta. The site was most likely destroyed during highway construction in the 1980's.
(thanks to Jeff Pauk for additional info)

Fort Butler (1)
(1812), St. Jacob
A settlers' fort and refuge for 11 families. It was never attacked.

Capt. Nathan Chambers' Fort
(1811), Summerfield
A settlers' fort located one mile south of town near a branch of Silver Creek on the western edge of Looking Glass Prairie. The area was known as Union Grove at the time.

Alma Blockhouse
(1811), Carbon
A settlers' blockhouse. The town name was originally Alma.

Camp Bissell
(1861), near Caseyville
A Civil War training camp.

Cahokia Mounds (State Historic Site)
(900 - 1200), Collinsville
A Mississippian Culture palisaded city and mound complex. Originally about 4000 acres, now presently encompassing 2200 acres, this was once the largest Native American city north of Mexico. The state park encompasses 475 acres of the original site. Seventeen mounds, including Monks Mound (the largest earthwork in Eastern North America), were located within the palisade. Over 100 smaller mounds were located outside the main city, with about 40 still extant. The palisade consisted of square bastions or towers spaced about every 70 feet.

Fort Cahokia
(Cahokia Courthouse State Historic Site)
(1733 - 1781), Cahokia
Originally a French trading post and mission, first settled in 1699 and palisaded in 1700. Fort Tamarans was built in 1723, garrisoned by only five men. Rebuilt and enlarged in 1733. The British held this fort from 1765 until July 1778 when the Americans captured it, and they renamed it Fort Bowman. The British attacked in 1780, but were defeated. The British and Americans most likely used the old French stone mission house as the post.

James Piggott's Fort
(1783 - 1790's), Columbia
A settlers' blockhouse and settlement complex located one and one-half miles west of town at "Le Grand Ruisseau" in the American Bottom, on present-day Carr Creek. Also known as Fort Big Run. The settlement included seventeen families (about 46 people) in 1783. Piggott operated a ferry across the Mississippi River at Cahokia Creek beginning in 1795. Piggott died in 1799, and the ferry continued operating under his sons for several years.

William Whiteside's Station
(1793 - unknown), near Waterloo
A settlers' station located halfway between Columbia and Waterloo.

Fort Bellefontaine
(1787 - 1790's), Waterloo
A settlers' town fort, a palisaded blockhouse for five families. Also known as Capt. James Moore's Fort. The present Belle Fontaine House was built in the late 1790's on the site of the fort. Restored, it is now the Monroe County Historical Society at 709 South Church Street.

Brashear's Fort
(1786 - 1795), Harrisonville
A settlers' fort.

Lemen's Blockhouse
(1790's ?), Monroe County
A settlers' blockhouse. Undetermined location.

Golden's Blockhouse
(1790's ?), Monroe County
A settlers' blockhouse. Undetermined location.

Fort de Chartres (State Historic Site)
(1720 - 1772), Prairie du Rocher FORT WIKI
This was the administrative center of the French Illinois Territory. The French had to rebuild the original wooden stockade fort in 1727 and again in 1732 due to constant river flooding, but was finally abandoned in 1747. The site of the 1732 fort was archaeologically confirmed in 2011, just east of the present site, across IL 155. In 1753 a four-acre stone fort with 18-foot high walls was constructed away from the river. It was completed in 1760. The British called it Fort Cavendish when they held it (1765 - 1772). They too, later abandoned it when the Mississippi River encroached upon it again, and relocated to Fort Kaskaskia. The south wall and bastions collapsed into the river in 1773, and by 1804 only overgrown rubble was reported by travelers. The site became a state park in 1913, and reconstruction began by 1930. The north wall and guardhouse have been partially reconstructed. Only the powder magazine is an original period structure. See also Encyclopedia of French Cultural Heritage in North America || Digital Research Library of Illinois History

Antoine Crozat's Fort
(1712 - 1717), near Prairie du Rocher or Evansville
A small French fort built to protect a mining operation. Located 15 miles from Kaskaskia. Crozat only found lead ore, never any gold or silver, and never made any profit.

Fort Kaskaskia (State Historic Site)
(1733 - 1764, 1772 - 1776, 1778 - 1780, 1802 - 1807), Ellis Grove FORT WIKI
The French first settled here in 1703. A fort was first built in 1733, possibly rebuilt in 1736. The French rebuilt the wooden stockade fort with new earthworks in 1759, with four blockhouses, but destroyed it in 1764 to prevent British occupation. The British did not occupy the post until 1772 after Fort de Chartres was abandoned. Instead of garrisoning the old French fort, the old 1703 stone-built French mission was fortified and used as barracks, named Fort Gage, until they were withdrawn in 1776 to Detroit. The Americans captured the town and unoccupied military post in July 1778 and renamed it Fort Clark (1). After the war settler John Dodge illegally "ruled" the area from here until 1790. A Federal Army post was garrisoned here 1802 - 1807, known as Post at Kaskaskia, which was located 300 meters north of the old French fort. The French earthworks still remain. The town became the Territorial capital in 1809 and the first State capital in 1818. The original town site was obliterated in floods of 1844 and 1910. The flood of 1881 resulted in the town being located on the west side of the Mississippi River. The fort itself, however, is still located on the east side of the river's main channel. Of interest nearby is the Pierre Menard Home SHS and the Kaskaskia Bell Memorial.

French Fort Ste. Anne (1719) was possibly located here, or possibly at Prairie du Rocher.

George Wilson's Fort
(1806), Randolph County
A settlers' blockhouse near Schaffner Lake.

Barcroft Place Fort
(1810's), Jackson County
A settlers' fort located at Barcroft Place (location ?).

Makanda Stone Fort
(Giant City State Park)
(600 - 900), Makanda
A Late Woodland Period 1.4 acre stone-walled enclosure, about 285 feet long, six feet high, and nine feet wide. Partially reconstructed by the C.C.C. in 1934. Access on Stone Fort Trail.

Draper's Bluff Stone Fort
(Shawnee National Forest)
(600 - 900), near Lick Creek
A Late Woodland Period 15-acre stone-walled enclosure located on Draper's Bluff, on the Union and Johnson County line just south of the Williamson County line, and just west of Ferne Clyffe State Park at Goreville. Located within the Draper Bluff State Hunting Area, administered by Ferne Clyffe State Park.

Anna Civil War Camps
(1861 - 1862), Anna
Civil War training camps located here were Camp Anna (1861), Camp Douglas (2) (1861), and Camp Dubois (2) (1861 - 1862).

Cairo Civil War Camps and Forts
(1861 - 1865), Cairo
Located in the area were Camp Cairo (1861), Camp Butler (2), Camp Houghtaling (1861) an artillery camp, Camp McAllister (1861), Camp Smith (1861), and Fort Darling (1861 - 1865). (see also Bird's Point Fort in MISSOURI)

Fort Defiance (2) (State Park)
(1861 - 1865), Cairo FORT WIKI
A major Union supply depot at Cairo Point. Originally called Camp Prentiss, renamed Camp McClernand in 1861. A reproduction of the fort is (or was ?) in the city-operated park.
See also History of the Wisconsin 42nd Infantry Regiment, with photos of Cairo Point.

Fort la Fourche
(unknown dates), near Mound City
An old French fort marked on a 1755 map. Also known as Altes Fort, Fort François, and Vieu Fort.

Possibly (?) this was the fort and tannery built in 1702 by Charles Juchereau, sieur de St. Denys, located a few miles north of the mouth of the Ohio River, near Grand Chain. It was abandoned in 1704. See also Southernmost Illinois History

Cantonment Wilkinsonville
(1801 - 1802), near Mound City
A temporary Federal 400-acre palisaded encampment at Metcalfe Landing, with 20 log barracks and a stone powder magazine. It was abandoned after regional tensions with France / Spain in Louisiana died down. Also known as Fort Wilkinson. Some buildings or hutments supposedly still stood until 1817. No remains. The state historical marker gives the date of establishment as 1797, and closure in 1804. See also Digital Research Library of Illinois History

Camp Hardin
(1861), Villa Ridge
A Civil War training camp.

Fort Massac (State Park)
(1757 - 1764, 1794 - 1814, 1850 - 1862), Metropolis FORT WIKI
Originally called Fort de l'Ascension, or Fort Ascension. Attacked by Cherokee Indians in 1757. The name was changed in 1759 to Fort Massiac when the fort was rebuilt. Chickasaw Indians burned the fort after it was abandoned. After finding the ruins in 1778, the British did not rebuild the fort. Americans rebuilt it in 1794 and corrupted the French name (without the "i"). Rebuilt again in 1802. It was heavily damaged in the 1811 New Madrid Earthquake. Rebuilt again, but abandoned in 1814. The town was platted in 1839. Reoccupied in 1850 as an encampment site. Used as a training camp in 1861. Abandoned for the last time in 1862 due to a measles epidemic among the soldiers. A 1970's replica fort on the original site depicted the 1794 American fort, but it was dismantled in 2002. The current structure (2003) near the original site is a replica of the 1802 American rebuild. The outline of the 1757 French fort is now at the original site. See also Digital Research Library of Illinois History

Camp Hayden
(1860's), near Unionville
A Civil War camp on Mud Creek.
(thanks to Stanley Schmitt for providing location)

Fort Willard
(1861 ?), near Unionville
A Union earthen work on Mud Creek, across from Paducah, KY, to defend a pontoon crossing.
(thanks to Stanley Schmitt for providing location)

Kincaid Mounds (State Historic Site)
(1050 - 1450), near New Liberty
A Mississipian Culture palisaded 19-mound temple complex on the Ohio River south of town along the Pope and Massac County lines. Along the outer palisade were spaced bastions or towers about every 100 feet. Interpretive markers are at the site. Only those mounds within Massac County are owned by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Millstone Bluff Stone Fort (Archaeological Area)
(Shawnee National Forest)
(600 - 900), near Robbs
A Late Woodland Period stone-walled enclosure.

War Bluff Stone Fort
(Shawnee National Forest)
(600 - 900), near Raum
A Late Woodland Period stone-walled enclosure.

Sturdivant's Fort
(1820's), Rosiclare
A criminal gang's two-story log cabin/blockhouse complex, about 60 by 60 feet, surrounded by two lines of palisades, built by Roswell Sturdivant. Also known as Sturdivant's Castle. Attacked three times (1822 and 1823) by the local sheriff's posse. Reportedly still standing, but dilapidated, in the 1870's, it was eventually razed. Site located on private property, on the river bluff just north of the modern water tower.

Hurst Blockhouse
(1809), near Hurst
A settlers' blockhouse.

Crainville Blockhouse
(1811), near Crainville
A settlers' blockhouse located east of town.

Old Stone Fort ?
(Shawnee National Forest)
(600 - 900, 1810's ?), near Stonefort
A settlers' defense may have possibly been located here at the prehistoric Late Woodland Period stone-walled formations on Stonefort Bluff east of town. The town of Stonefort was formed in 1858, but was relocated closer to the railroad in the 1870's, about 1.8 miles northwest of the original site (Oldtown).

Saline County Settler Forts
(1810 - 1815), various locations, Saline County
Hankerson Rude's Blockhouse, undetermined location.
Coleman Brown's Blockhouse, located north of the Wolf Creek Church near Eldorado.
Hampton Pankey's Blockhouse, located about 1.5 miles northwest of Carrier Mills.
Raleigh Blockhouse, Raleigh Township.
Karnes' Blockhouse, located near the Bethel Creek Church (location ?).
An unnamed blockhouse was located near the Brushy Church in Brushy Township.
Blackman's Blockhouse, reconstructed at, or moved to, the Saline Creek Pioneer Village in 2004, located at 1600 South Feazel Street, Harrisburg. Owned and operated by the Saline County Historical Society.

Frank (Francis) Jordan's Fort
(1811), near Frankfort
A settlers' blockhouse in eastern Franklin County. Brother to Thomas.

Thomas Jordan's Fort
(1811), near Thompsonville
A settlers' blockhouse located three miles southwest of town. Brother to Frank.

Camp Marshall
(1862), Salem
A Civil War training camp.

Post at Battery Rock
(Shawnee National Forest)
(1861 - 1864), near Lamb, Hardin County
A Union gun battery (two guns) on the heights above the Ohio River on Sturgeon Hill at Battery Rock (80 feet above the river), and corresponding post at Battery Rock Landing, just downstream of Sturgeon Island, and opposite the town of Caseyville, KY.

Pounds Hollow Stone Fort
(Shawnee National Forest)
(600 - 900), Eagle Creek Township, Gallatin County
Late Woodland Period stone-walled enclosures located along the Pounds Escarpment and Pounds Hollow. Access via the Rim Rock Trail.

Camp Mather (3)
(1861 - 1863), Shawneetown
A Civil War training camp and hospital. Renamed Camp Logan (1).

Jonathan Boone's Fort
(1812 ?, 1814 ?), New Haven
A settlers' stockaded enclosure with several buildings. After Boone died, his son Joseph operated a trading post here.

White County Settler Forts
(1812 - 1815), in or near White County
This area was known as the "Big Prairie". Located in White County as its borders then existed in 1812 (may include present-day Hamilton County):
Capt. Daniel Boultinghouse's Fort (1812), a settlers' fort (location ?).
Hardy Council's Fort (1813), possibly aka Starkey's Fort, a settlers' blockhouse (location ?).
John Hanna's Fort (1812) (location ?).
Robert Land's Fort (1812), located one-half mile south of Hanna's Fort.
Captain William McHenry's Fort (1812) possibly aka Tanquary's Fort, a state militia blockhouse (location ?).
John Slocumb's Fort (location ?).
Skillet Fort, located between Skillet Fork River and the Little Wabash River.
Aaron Williams' Fort (1813), a settlers' blockhouse (location ?).

French Trading Post (2) ?
(Beall Woods State Park)
(unknown, 1810's ?), Keensburg
An unnamed trade outpost (date ?) of Vincennes (Indiana). Also known (later ?) as Touga's Trading Post (1).

John Greathouse's Fort
(1811 - 1815), Wabash County
A settlers' fort located on Greathouse Creek.

Ramsey's Fort
(1811), Wabash County
A settlers' blockhouse.

John Wood's Fort
(1810), Friendsville
A settlers' fort.

Fort Palmyra
(1810's), Friendsville
A settlers' or local militia fort located near Wood's Fort.

Levi Compton's Fort
(1810), Allendale
A settlers' fort on Coco Creek to accommodate 100 families in times of crisis.

Fort Higgins
(1810's), Allendale
A settlers' or local militia fort located near Barney's Fort.

William Barney's Fort
(1812), Allendale
A settlers' fort.

Armstrong's Fort (1)
(1812), Allendale
A settlers' fort.

Joseph Touga's Fort (2)
(1812), St. Francisville
A settlers' stockade, with several log houses and two blockhouses in opposite corners. Also spelled Tugaw.

Samuel Allison's Fort
(1809), near Russellville
A settlers' fort.

French Trading Post (1)
(1680's), Palestine
An unnamed French trading outpost of Vincennes (Indiana) was once located in the area, near "Pointe Coupee".

Fort Foote
(1813 - 1816 ?), Palestine
A settlers' stockade fort, originally named William Eaton's Fort, built after a disagreement over chain-of-command at Fort La Motte, in the spring of 1813. The Northwest Rangers garrisoned the fort later. The site was completely destroyed in the 1940's by a gravel pit operation, located near IL 33 at the west city limits. Artifacts have been found, however.
(info provided by Tony Treadway, and also by Greg Parrott)

Fort La Motte
(1811 - 1812, 1813 - 1817), Palestine
Originally in town was La Motte Station or Blockhouse, a palisaded blockhouse which was abandoned and then burned by Indians in September 1812. A second fort was built in April 1813 by the Northwest Territory Rangers, on or near the original site on La Motte Creek, possibly east of Leaverton Street and south of La Motte Street. By 1814 there were 26 families living here and it was garrisoned by about 60 Northwest Rangers. Spelling variations include Lamotte, and Lemott. Recently excavated. A 2009 reconstruction of a representative period stockade fort and blockhouse is located in Leaverton Park. See also Digital Research Library of Illinois History
(info provided by Tony Treadway, and also by Greg Parrott)

Thomas Handy's Fort
(1816), West Union
A settlers' palisaded fort, with three cabins. Also garrisoned by the Northwest Rangers.

Camp Grant (1)
(1861), Mattoon
A Union training camp, originally named Camp Cunningham. A marker is at the railroad depot. The original flagpole is now at the U.S. Grant Motor Inn.

Camp Goode
(1860's), Coles County
A Civil War training camp.

NEED MORE INFO: Black Island Fort (unknown date) with six guns, located somewhere on the Mississippi River (possibly in MISSOURI ?); Middleton's Fort (1812 ?), a settlers' fort located somewhere on the Kaskaskia River; Going's Fort (1812 ?), a settlers' fort located somewhere on the Kaskaskia River.

Northern illinois - page 1 | Greater Chicago Area - page 2

QUESTIONS ? Please send any corrections and/or additions to this list to:
"Updates" at NorthAmericanForts.com