Forts of Vincennes

Forts of Vincennes was a military installation with blockhouse towers at the northeast and southwest corners, surrounded by heavy timber walls. Three-pounder cannons were positioned inside for defense.

French forces built the original fort in 1731, establishing the first European military presence in the Indiana Territory. The site changed hands multiple times and became a battleground during the Revolutionary War.

The fort served as a meeting point where French traders, British soldiers, American settlers, and Native American groups came into contact with one another. These interactions shaped how people lived and worked at this location throughout the 1700s.

The site is protected as a National Historic Place, allowing visitors to examine colonial-era military architecture and its layout. The location along the Wabash River helps visitors understand why this spot was strategically important.

A surprising element is the dramatic capture in 1779, when a military leader attacked with just 172 soldiers during severe winter flooding. This seemingly impossible mission succeeded and shifted the course of the war in the region.

Location: Indiana

Inception: 1731

GPS coordinates: 38.67920,-87.53560

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:02