Fort Belle Fontaine, Missouri – The First Fort of the West
Nestled along the southern bank of the mighty Missouri River, near its confluence with the Mississippi, lies a site steeped in history and significance: Fort Belle Fontaine, Missouri. This unassuming location holds the distinction of being the first United States military installation established within the vast Louisiana Territory. Its story is one of westward expansion, military strategy, and the interactions between the burgeoning nation and the Native American tribes who called this land home.
The genesis of Fort Belle Fontaine can be traced back to the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, a pivotal moment that doubled the size of the United States. With this acquisition came the responsibility of exploring, surveying, and securing the newly acquired territory. A crucial step in this process was establishing a presence that would facilitate trade, maintain order, and serve as a springboard for further exploration. In November 1804, a treaty was forged between the United States government and the Sac and Fox tribe, granting permission to construct a fur trading post. This agreement marked the formal beginning of what would become Fort Belle Fontaine.
The name "Belle Fontaine," meaning "beautiful fountain" in French, was derived from a nearby spring, a testament to the region’s natural beauty. This water source not only provided sustenance for the fort’s inhabitants but also lent its name to a location that would play a vital role in shaping the American West.
Fort Belle Fontaine quickly became a central hub for expeditions venturing into the uncharted territories of the American West. Perhaps most notably, it served as a crucial point for the famed Lewis and Clark expedition. In 1804, after departing from Camp River Dubois, the Corps of Discovery made their first campsite at the very location that would become Fort Belle Fontaine. Two years later, upon their triumphant return from their epic journey to the Pacific Ocean, they spent their last night at the fort, marking a poignant bookend to their historic endeavor. The echoes of Lewis and Clark’s footsteps resonate through the very soil of Fort Belle Fontaine, solidifying its place in American history.
After 1808, the trading post’s function was discontinued. In 1809, the post transitioned into a fully-fledged United States Military Fort, a role it would maintain until 1826. Originally designated as Cantonment Belle Fontaine, the installation underwent significant expansion under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Kingsbury. Three companies of the First Infantry were tasked with erecting additional buildings, transforming the trading post into a robust military establishment.
The original Fort Belle Fontaine was strategically positioned on the floodplain below the bluff. However, the unpredictable nature of the Missouri River soon forced a relocation. In 1810, the river shifted its course southward, rendering the original fort site untenable. The decision was made to abandon the low-lying location, and a new Fort Belle Fontaine was constructed on the higher ground atop the bluff. Today, the site of the original fort lies submerged beneath the waters of the ever-changing Missouri River.
From approximately 1809 to 1815, Fort Belle Fontaine served as the headquarters of the Department of Louisiana, a testament to its growing importance. During the War of 1812, it functioned as the regional Army headquarters, playing a critical role in coordinating military operations in the region. Its strategic importance was further underscored by its connection to sister forts: Fort Osage, located along the Missouri River near present-day Kansas City, which oversaw trade with western Indian tribes, and Fort Madison, Iowa, which controlled trade along the Upper Mississippi River. Together, these forts formed a network of military and economic control, solidifying the United States’ presence in the newly acquired territory.
However, by 1825, the post began to show signs of deterioration. With changing military needs in the region, the War Department decided to abandon the location. In 1826, the soldiers stationed at Fort Belle Fontaine were relocated to Jefferson Barracks, a newly constructed military post south of St. Louis. Although the main contingent of soldiers was moved, a small group remained at the fort to safeguard the arsenal facility and provide munitions for Jefferson Barracks until the St. Louis Arsenal was completed in 1828. Once the arsenal was operational, Fort Belle Fontaine was permanently abandoned, its military chapter closed.
Despite its abandonment, the story of Fort Belle Fontaine did not end there. In the early 20th century, a log cabin, believed to have served as soldiers’ quarters, still stood as a tangible link to the fort’s past. Unfortunately, this structure has since disappeared. In the late 1930s, the grounds below the bluff experienced a resurgence in popularity, becoming a beloved summer retreat. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) undertook a project to enhance the site, constructing a grand limestone staircase leading down from the bluff, along with other recreational structures. These remnants of the WPA era, including the "Grand Staircase" and various picnic facilities, still stand today, offering a glimpse into the site’s transformation from a military outpost to a public recreation area.
In 1986, St. Louis County purchased the site, officially establishing it as Fort Belle Fontaine Park. While the original locations of the Corps of Discovery’s campsite and the first Fort Belle Fontaine have been lost to the relentless shifting of the Missouri River channel, interpretive markers have been strategically placed along a hiking trail to highlight points of historical interest. These markers serve as silent storytellers, allowing visitors to connect with the fort’s rich past. Today, only one small stone structure remains, possibly constructed from stones salvaged from the foundations of the old fort’s buildings. The park is also the venue for several annual events, including the Fort Belle Fontaine Historic Encampment and Black Powder Shoot in September, bringing history to life for visitors of all ages. The importance of Fort Belle Fontaine to the region is immeasurable.
To visit Fort Bellefontaine Park, travel along the Missouri River in north St. Louis County. From I-270, take the Bellefontaine Road exit and follow Bellefontaine Road north until it terminates at the guard gate of the Missouri Hills Campus of the Missouri Division of Youth Services. Visitors are required to sign in at the gate before proceeding to the park. Fort Belle Fontaine offers a captivating journey through time, allowing visitors to walk in the footsteps of explorers, soldiers, and pioneers who shaped the American West. The story of Fort Belle Fontaine is a reminder of the nation’s westward expansion and its interactions with the Native American tribes.
The historical importance of Fort Belle Fontaine is clear. Fort Belle Fontaine is a location that offers a profound connection to the past. Fort Belle Fontaine is a destination of historical significance.