Fort Armstrong

Fort Armstrong was a military installation on Rock Island featuring three blockhouses and stone walls that extended along the Mississippi River. The fort served as a strategic outpost to secure American control over the northwestern Illinois region during the early settlement period.

The fort was constructed in 1816 following the War of 1812 and remained operational until 1836 as a military outpost. It was established to consolidate American territorial control and protect frontier settlements in the region.

The location held deep significance for the Sauk people who depended on the surrounding Mississippi River waters for fishing and subsistence. The establishment of the fort fundamentally altered their access to these traditional territories and resources.

The site now sits within the Rock Island Arsenal complex, which remains an active military facility with ongoing manufacturing and logistical operations. Visitors should be aware that access may be limited due to its continued military use and security protocols.

The installation operated one of Illinois' earliest meteorological stations, recording daily temperature measurements between 1820 and 1836. These systematic observations provided the first official weather documentation for the entire Illinois region.