The Revival of Fort de Chartres

The restored powder magazine in 2007.

In 1913, the state of Illinois purchased the 20 acres on which the ruins of Fort de Chartres III were located and established a state park.  Their first goal was to rehabilitate the only remaining structure at the fort, the powder magazine.  By the early 20^th century, the remaining vestiges of the powder magazine building were overgrown with plant life and ravaged by time, but there was enough left of the structure to bring it back with some original parts.  Work began on the powder magazine in 1917 and was completed shortly after.  Following the powder magazine, it was decided to reconstruct portions of the fort that no longer existed.  The storehouse was done first and completed in 1929.  During the depression in 1936, the WPA was brought in to reconstruct the main gate and guardhouse. 

The Guard House at Fort de Chartres. The arched window of the chapel is seen on the south end of the building.

In 1966, Fort de Chartres was declared a National Historic Landmark and in 1974 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.  In the 1970s and 80s there were archaeological excavations made at the site of Fort de Chartres I by Illinois State University that verified the location of the fort and unearthed numerous 18^th century artifacts.  In 1989, the Fort walls were reconstructed on the original foundations and new buildings continued to be reconstructed in the ensuing years.  With the exception of a major flood in 1993 that breached the levee and reached the height of the Fort’s 15’ walls, the site has remained relatively safe from the same flooding problems faced by the French and English in the 18^th century.

A black powder shooting event with muskets at Fort de Chartres

In the 21^st century the Fort is an active historic site with an onsite museum, historic tours, regularly scheduled events, and major annual celebrations of French colonial and 18^th century culture.  2020 was slated to be the 300 anniversary of Fort de Chartres and the 50^th anniversary of the Fort de Chartres Rendezvous event.  The Rendezvous is held every June and offers visitors a glimpse into French colonial past.  There are artisan and craft demonstrations including pottery, blacksmithing, metal-working, felt-making, weaving, and woodworking.  In addition, there are period foods and music, including fife and drum bands.  There are also ceremonial marches conducted by historic military reenactors and black powder shooting events.  The town which the historic site now presides, Prairie Du Rocher, also has other 18^th century colonial sites to visit, such as the Creole House.