POPULAR RENDEZVOUS FALLS VICTIM TO FLOOD

PRAIRIE DU ROCHER, Ill. -- The flood of 1993 has claimed another victim.

The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency canceled the June 1994 Fort de Chartres Rendezvous because of extensive flood damage that occurred to the fort and the surrounding grounds.

The annual rendezvous is the Midwest's largest gathering of 1700s-era soldiers, trappers, traders and campers. The rendezvous is the most popular special event held at state-owned historic sites in Illinois.

It brings together people from across the United States who are interested in re-enacting the settlement of the Illinois territory in the mid-1700s. The event recreates the traditional French fur trapper's holiday of that time period.

Agency officials said all of the flood damage will be repaired in time for the June 3-4, 1995, rendezvous, which is also the silver anniversary of the event that's held each June at the restored French colonial fort near Prairie du Rocher.

The damage occurred after the mainstem Mississippi River levee at Valmeyer, about 15 miles north of the fort, broke last August. A short time later, the same levee was purposely breached by the Corps of Engineers just south of the fort to prevent additional levee failures at nearby Prairie du Rocher and along the mainstem levee near Modoc and the Kaskaskia River.

Floodwaters pouring in through the break at Valmeyer flowed southward and eventually surrounded the fort and farm houses and buildings with up to 12 feet of water.

Susan Mogerman, director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency in Springfield, said the decision to cancel the rendezvous was made following an inspection of the fort after the floodwaters had receded.

Said Mogerman: "The grounds in and around the fort have suffered terribly from the floodwaters. In our judgment it would be irresponsible to invite more than 30,000 people to the June rendezvous before the grounds can be repaired as this would further aggravate the problems.

"More importantly, it would not be wise to subject participants and visitors to the mud, sinkholes, and gigantic trenches that surround Fort de Chartres."

Bob Coomer, superintendent of the agency's Historic Sites Division, said the floodwaters caused extensive damage to the fort itself -- including the original powder magazine and the grounds and landscaping that surround the fort.

Said Coomer: "The reconstructed wall of the fort has developed two structural cracks in the powder magazine bastion. There is a new structural crack in the stone powder magazine, which is one of Illinois' oldest structures, and in the southwest corner of the museum building. All of the cracks will need tuckpointing.

"While the stone exteriors of the building received minimal damage, the interiors sustained extensive damage. Windows, doors, floors, plaster walls and ceilings will need repairs or replacement. The museum will be totally redesigned and rebuilt."

Coomer said the fort's support facilities and structures, including privies, stairs and bridges were washed away, but most have been found and can be put back in place or replaced. He said the site residence and maintenance facilities sustained heavy damage. All electric- and waterlines will need extensive replacement.

The floodwaters caused severe erosion damage throughout the site. Coomer said major washouts will need to be filled and reseeded. Access roads to the fort were washed away and new roads will have to be rebuilt.

"The cleanup is already under way," Coomer said. "Plans for repairs have been made and repair work will proceed as soon as the (main-stem Mississippi River) levees are repaired. In general, there is no damage to the fort or the grounds that is beyond repair."

No repair estimates have been made, but Mogerman said it is expected to cost nearly $500,000 just to replace the soil that was washed away around the fort.

"We are seeking funding assistance where available to cover the cost of repairs." Coomer said. "We are optimistic that the necessary work can be accomplished during the 1994 construction season, which will allow for the public opening of the site by this fall."