Fort St. Joseph, French colonial fort in Niles, Michigan, United States
Fort St. Joseph was a French colonial outpost in Niles, Michigan, built at the intersection of major Native American travel routes along the Saint Joseph River. The site contained military structures and trading facilities enclosed within defensive palisade walls.
French Jesuits founded the fort in 1691 as a garrison and trading post that operated without interruption for nearly a century. Spanish forces captured it in 1781, ending French control of the settlement.
The site served as a meeting place where French soldiers, traders, and priests encountered Native American nations including the Potawatomi and Miami. People from different backgrounds came together here to exchange goods and build relationships.
Western Michigan University conducts ongoing archaeological research at the site and offers summer camps and public programs where visitors can engage with excavation work. Plan your visit during warmer months when these activities are most active and accessible.
A rare Jesuit medallion from the 1730s was discovered during archaeological work, offering a glimpse into the religious life of those who lived here. This find sits among foundation stones and wooden post impressions that reveal how the settlement was physically laid out.
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