Current Fort Archeology?

[Mike Thorson]

Congratulations to Bob Birmingham and others at the Historical Society of Wisconsin geting Blue Mound Fort on the Natinal Register of Historic Places.

Does anyone know what other forts are being researched and/or excavated right now?

[Robert Braun]

I am currently working with Bill Wenzel to try to generally locate a few of the more obscure stockades.

The descriptions given in the literature are not very comprehensive... and I am hoping his expertise in surveying and attendant sources will help in locating a few of these sites.

I'll keep you posted.

Bob.

[[e-mail]]

I know that the Upper Mississippi Valley Archeological association is undergoing a dig concerning Fort Crawford. Though the work is not yet done and that a report has yet to be written you can see some artifacts posted on the web at their site. They are a part of the the U.W. LaCrosse and should be found at:

perth.uwlax.edu/mvac/

and then clicking on to the "specific sites" page. Look under "Second Fort Crawford"

Pete

[Joe Kleffman]

how about looking in to some of the sites in illinois maybe the thomas site south of wynat illinois

[Greg Carter]

Speaking of Illinois forts, some disappointing news. I received a letter from the LaSalle County Historical Society. The remains of Fort Wilbourne, near Ottawa, actually within the confines of Illinois Valley Community College, have been completely destroyed. I was told that when some work was done to prevent erosion of the riverside bluffs near the campus, then entire area remaining of the promontory that the fort was built upon was graded down and bulldozed away so that the soil could be used to reinforce something else. Depressing.
GMC

[Greg Carter]

Joe,

I forgot to add something in my last post. Most of the Illinois Forts have been identified and marked, albeit poorly in some cases, by the Illinois State Historical Society. Apple River, Fort Armstrong, Fort Payne, Fort Johnson and Fort Wilbourne are all well-marked. The Warnocks blockhouse and "Fort Cribs" are not, and Fort Clark (near Peoria) is not marked at all. In addition to the Apple River fort, a corner blockhouse from Fort Armstrong has been rebuilt, but is not a functioning replica, rather a monument. If you visit the Rock Island Arsenal (now with photo ID and after having your car and belongings run through by a bomb dog) you can see the entire area taken up by the fort. Each corner of the stockade is marked with a pile of cannonballs, similar to the markers found at the Chickamauga battlefield. They are near the bridge entrance to the Island and the USCG station (opposite side from the National and Confederate Cemeteries). One rests in the parking lot of the Lock and Dam museum. Also, there is a scale replica of the fort in the Rock Island Arsenal small arms museum. As for the forts along the Illinois River, Fort Johnson's site (near Peru) is now covered with a few homes and a city park. Not far from it, at Matheissen State Park, there is a reconstruction of a blockhouse built by the French. It is consistent with many of the frontier forts in style and size, and can be rented out for picnics. (woo hoo!!) The blockhouse of Fort Cribs is supposedly now the foundation of a barn, but the Hennepin County Historical Society has not been forthcoming with information, despite several requests. Fort Clark in Peoria is now a gas station and convenience store.
GMC

[Robert Braun]

Anything on the fort at Pekin, Illinois?

Supposedly, the locals converted the schoolhouse into a strongpoint, yes?

[Greg Carter]

Bob,

I am waiting for a reply from the Tazewell County Hist. Soc. about that. I hope to find out soon.

GMC

[Greg Carter]

Ok, I heard from Tazewell County H.S.- The fort there was in fact a schoolhouse modified and strengthened. It is now covered by a factory.

GMC

[guestjoekleffman]

Iam sorry but fort Clark does have a marker it is near the river front under the pavilion by the river station restaurant on Water street.
Also you are wrong about fort doolittle in pekin the site wsa plowed through when the new pekin bridge was built in the late 1980s the site is now an intersection leading to the pekin bridge.

[Greg Carter]

You are correct Joe, and my mistake, too. I looked at the stuff from THS I received and they were describing another fort near there, apparently, and sent it to me in place of the information I asked for. I don't see a specific name for the fort they informed me of either. Possibly another one in the area? Perhaps thrown up in the same manner as Fort Cribs?

GMC

[gorentz]

This thread started with Mike Thorson mentioning the Blue Mound Fort as being on the National Register of Historic Places. However, I was not able to find it at www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com. Would it be listed under some other name?

I tried to visit the site once, or at least get as close as possible on a public road. Either the folks at the state park didn't give me accurate enough information, or I didn't listen carefully enough, but I don't think I went far enough south on County Road F. I may be in the area again in a few weeks and would like to try again.

John Gorentz

[Robert Braun]

There was a rumor going around that some digging was contemplated at Montfort... if the fort location could be found with a certain degree of certainty. Likewise for Fort Defiance south of Mineral Point... although I have heard tales of landowner issues in the area from years back. With the retirement of Robert Birmingham,who knows were the next project will be?

Apparently many years ago, a private discovery/dig of sorts occured at the site of Fort Hamilton. The fort site is located on private land, with very limited access. However, a locally published narrative indicated some archaeological finds, including Spanish coins, tools, etc. A couple years ago, I had the priviledge of seeing a 4-reale Spanish coin allegdly dug from the Fort Hamilton site.

No red clay pipe bowls or oilcloths, though!

Bob Braun.

[Robert Braun]

In response to my recent article on the guns of Apple River Fort, retired State Archaeologist Robert Birmingham indicated that a number of lead balls in the area of .54 caliber were found in the Mound Fort (Fort Blue Mounds) dig.

These finds, plus the mention of so-called "yager rifles" in conjunction with Mound Fort, makes for interesting speculation!

Regards, Bob.

[pshrake]

Bob,

I agree, the growing number of 54 cal. balls found coupled with your research on the Guns of ARF suggest perhaps a greater reliance on Harpers Ferry rifles. After reading your article, it certainly is intreagueing to speculate on the role of pistols especialy the use of the 1816 /19 pistols.

You mention in your post of April 11

"However, a locally published narrative indicated some archaeological finds, including Spanish coins, tools, etc."

What is the title of this publication and is it available either for sale or through any library?

Pete