Fort de Chartres
Also known as: Fort de Chartres State Park
Why it's listed
Fort de Chartres, near Prairie du Rocher in Randolph County, Illinois, is a reconstructed French fort on the site of the third and last fort of that name. Construction began in 1753 and finished three years later. Stone walls eighteen feet high and more than two feet thick enclosed about four acres, with a bastion at each corner, a massive gatehouse, barracks, officers' quarters, a guard house, a powder magazine and a kitchen set around a parade ground. The fort could hold 400 men but usually held about half that number. It served as the center of French civil and military government in the Illinois Country. French troops stayed until October 1765, when British troops took over and renamed it Cavendish. The British evacuated and destroyed it in 1772. The state purchased the site in 1915, exposed the original foundations and rebuilt the gatehouse, guard house, chapel and storehouse, which now houses a museum. The protected area also includes the sites of two earlier forts, the village of Chartres and a Michigami Indian village.
Significance in brief: Fort de Chartres was the center of French civil and military government of the Illinois Country in the 18th century and one of France's most impressive fortifications in North America. After French sovereignty ended in 1763, the fort served as the center of British administration of the Illinois Country until 1772. The nominated area also holds the sites of the two earlier forts, the village of Chartres, and a Michigami Indian village.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 66000329, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Terminus of IL 155, W of Prairie du Rocher, Fort Chartres, Prairie du Rocher |
|---|---|
| County | Randolph County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000329 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1756-1772 |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated October 9, 1960 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Reconstructed and operated as a state park and museum; condition listed as excellent, though the powder magazine was stabilized but needed roof repairs. |
| Acreage | 1120 |
| Within district | French Colonial Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.09105, -90.16376 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 66000329.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q3078159
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.