New hopes and new ideas for Fort de Chartres

I may be one of the few Southeast Missourians who was saddened and concerned when, several weeks ago, then-governor Rod Blagojevich announced he was closing several state parks in Illinois to help balance the severely out-of-whack state budget. One of those state parks is Fort de Chartres State Park in Randolph County, just up the road a bit from Chester.

Based on my personal experience, it seems I may be one of the few Southeast Missourians who knows about Fort de Chartres, even though it's less than an hour away -- a trip that, on a good day, can include a delightful ferry ride across the Mississippi River from Ste. Genevieve.

My first visit to Fort de Chartres several years ago was serendipity. My wife and I had been exploring some of the interesting towns along Highway 3 that runs along the river from St. Louis to Cairo. Along the way, we came to the turnoff to the village of Prairie du Rocher, quite possibly one of the most historically significant towns in this region.

Prairie du Rocher was at one time the seat of the French government in "the Illinois." It was a center of administration, justice, the military and religion -- a combination that was frequently blended. It was the most important government center between New Orleans and Quebec.

The town is named for its two most prominent natural features, the prairie and the rock palisade that run parallel to the river.

A short distance away, closer to the river, is the fort, which at various times served the military needs of the Spanish, French and U.S. governments. A good part of the stone fort has been reconstructed, and the museum provides a quick lesson on the significance of the fort over several centuries.

There is so much history in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois that deserves more attention. For example, I didn't know, until last weekend when my wife and I visited the Crisp Regional Museum at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus, about the ceremonial Indian mounds in New Madrid County. I have visited the mounds at Wickliffe, Ky., and the Cahokia Mounds at Collinsville, Ill., across from St. Louis. Who knew there were significant mounds in the Bootheel? You should see the artifacts that have been recovered there and now on display at the River Campus museum.

Publicity. Getting the word out. Encouraging more of us to learn about our history. All are key to the future of important historic sites.

There are some great PR efforts for portions of the bountiful history in our area, but it seems we tend to focus on the obvious, which means most of us are familiar with the French history of Ste. Genevieve and have a bit of knowledge about the four Civil War forts in Cape Girardeau, but we know next to nothing about something as important as Fort de Chartres.

There are indications that Fort de Chartres State Park will be reopened now that Pat Quinn is the governor of Illinois. I hope so. I'd hate to see the fort fall into the disrepair that often accompanies government-sanctioned neglect.

Indeed, according to a story in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch last week, there are those who envision an even bigger profile for the fort and surrounding area. Among the proposals are a cultural center and historical village that would deepen our understanding and provide an even bigger magnet for visitors.

How such projects would be funded is, like so many things, the big question. But it's nice to know someone shares a passion for making more people aware of the significance of Fort de Chartres.

Getting the park reopened if a good step in the right direction.

In the meantime, all of us can learn more about that area. There are books. There's the Internet.

And there's the town of Prairie du Rocher, whose population includes a good many descendants of French settlers.

I'm sure Mayor Amy Barbeau and the rest of the town would roll out the welcome mat for anyone who wanted to stop by for a look-see.

And, unless the state highway from Prairie du Rocher to the fort has been closed, you can still drive past the fort and see its impressive stone walls and turrets.

There's a gob of history between Cape Girardeau and Prairie du Rocher. Why don't you go see for yourself?

jsullivan@semissourian.com