Historic Fort D: A Civil War Sentinel

Historic Fort D stands as a tangible link to the American Civil War in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Constructed in the summer of 1861, it was one of four forts erected to defend the city from Confederate advances. Fort D is the only one of these fortifications that remains intact, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore a well-preserved example of Civil War-era military architecture. The fort was built under the supervision of Lieutenant John Wesley Powell, who would later become famous for his exploration of the Grand Canyon. Powell also recruited local men to serve in the Union army, forming Battery F, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery. The fort itself is an earthenwork structure, designed in a French bastion form, with a triangular layout and an open base. This design, along with the artificial caves dug into the hillside below, provided protection for the soldiers stationed there. Although Fort D never saw direct combat, it served as a crucial deterrent and a symbol of Union strength in the region. Today, visitors can walk the grounds of Fort D, explore the earthen walls, and read the informational signs that detail the fort's history. A limestone blockhouse, built in 1936 as a WPA project, adds another layer to the site's historical significance. Living history demonstrations are held throughout the year, particularly on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekends, bringing the past to life.