Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site, Corn Belt Travel Guide

Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site, near Chester, Illinois, preserves the remnants of a French fort constructed around 1759. The fort was built to defend the town of Kaskaskia, which was founded in 1703 and served as the first capital of Illinois from 1818 to 1820. The site provides a window into the region's French colonial past and its strategic importance in early American history.Today, the 200-acre park features several points of interest. Visitors can explore the time-worn earthworks of Fort Kaskaskia, which include the outline of the old fort with bastions at the corners. Garrison Hill Cemetery, established in 1891, holds the remains of early settlers whose graves were threatened by Mississippi River flooding. A monument commemorating these settlers stands within the cemetery. The site also offers a scenic overlook of the Mississippi River and Kaskaskia Island, with interpretive panels detailing the history of the area.Visitors can also take a footpath to the Pierre Menard Home State Historic Site at the bottom of the bluff. The home, built around 1815, belonged to Pierre Menard, a fur trader, businessman, and the first lieutenant governor of Illinois. The grounds are open year-round, and tours of the home are available during seasonal hours. Fort Kaskaskia also offers a campground with both tent and electric hook-up sites. The park is open year-round, with day-use areas open from 7 AM to 10 PM.