Fort Belle Fontaine, Military heritage site in St. Louis County, United States
Fort Belle Fontaine is a historic site near the Missouri River featuring limestone stairs and structures built during the 1930s Works Progress Administration period. The location now encompasses a large park with trails connecting various historical structures and offering views of the river.
The fort was established in 1805 as the first United States military base west of the Mississippi River. It operated as a trading post before ceasing military operations in 1808.
The location served as a gathering place where French and Spanish merchants, Native Americans, and American settlers encountered each other and conducted business in the early 1800s. These cross-cultural meetings left traces in how the place developed and what stories people still tell about it.
The park features marked trails that are straightforward to navigate, offering access to multiple historical structures throughout the site. Visit during dry weather since the paths can become muddy after rain.
The site contains an old military cemetery with approximately 130 graves of enlisted soldiers and officers from the 1800s, marked only by ground-level signs. This quiet burial ground is often overlooked by visitors despite being an important part of the area's military heritage.
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