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Fort
Massac State Park |
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1308 E. 5th Street
Metropolis, IL 62960
618.524.4712
Experience the scenic splendor of Southern Illinois with plenty of outdoor fun
and time-telling events at Fort Massac State Park. Overlooking the mighty Ohio
River from the southern tip of Illinois, this majestic location has been
preserved and maintained since 1908, when it became Illinois’ first state park.
Today, Fort Massac is a captivating reminder of days gone by, a fascinating
excursion through the entire course of American history, and the perfect place
to relax in soothing natural surroundings and explore life as it was lived when
our country was young.
 The historic
site is a replica of the 1802 American fort that was on site. The historic fort
area contains 2 barracks, 3 block hourses, officer quarters, well, stockade
along with a fraise fence. The site also has the archaeological outline of the
1757 French Fort. There is also a visitors center/office complex along with an
area for the museum.
Actual re-creations of pioneer life of the 1700s during the annual Fort Massac
Encampment and several living history weekends each year bring the past to life,
letting you experience it yourself.
With all this, and the picnicking, camping, hiking, boating and hunting
opportunities available in the rest of the 1,450-acre area, Fort Massac State
Park is an alluring, complete and self-contained family vacation spot.
History
The rich history of this site begins before recorded history, when native
Americans undoubtedly took advantage of its strategic location overlooking the
Ohio River. Legend has it that Europeans took this same advantage as early as
1540, when the Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto and his soldiers constructed a
primitive fortification here to defend themselves from hostile native attack.
The French built Fort De L’Ascension on the site in 1757, during the French and
Indian War, when France and Great Britain were fighting for ultimate control of
central North America. Rebuilt in 1759-60, the structure was renamed Massiac in
honor of the then French Minister of Colonial Affairs, and came under fire only
once, when unsuccessfully attacked by a group of Cherokee.
French and American MarinesFollowing the end of the French and Indian War in
1763, the French abandoned the fort and a band of Chickasaws burned it to the
ground. When Captain Thomas Stirling, commander of the 42nd Royal Highland
Regiment, arrived to take possession, all he found was a charred ruin.
The British anglicized the name to “Massac” but, despite the counsel of their
military advisers, they neither rebuilt nor regarrisoned the fort. This
oversight left them vulnerable and in 1778, during the Revolutionary War,
Colonel George Rogers Clark led his “Long Knives” regiment into Illinois at
Massac Creek and was able to capture Kaskaskia, 100 miles to the north, without
firing a shot-thus taking the entire Illinois Territory for the State of
Virginia and the fledgling United States.
In 1794, President George Washington ordered the fort rebuilt, and for the next
20 years it protected U.S. military and commercial interests in the Ohio Valley.
U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr and Gen. James Wilkinson, who allegedly drew up
plans to personally conquer Mexico and the American southwest, met at Fort
Massac during the summer of 1805. Edward Everett Hale later used the setting of
Fort Massac and the Burr-Wilkinson plot as basis for his classic historical
novel, “The Man Without a Country.”
Although ravaged by the New Madrid earthquake in 1811-12, the fort was again
rebuilt in time to play a minor role in the War of 1812, only to be abandoned
again in 1814. Local citizens dismantled the fort for timber, and by 1828 little
remained of the original construction. In 1839 the city of Metropolis was
platted about a mile west of the fort.
The site served briefly as a training camp during the early years of the Civil
War, marking the last time U.S. troops were stationed at the site. The fort was
abandoned after a measles epidemic in 1861-62 claimed the lives of a substantial
number of soldiers of the Third Illinois Cavalry and the 131st Illinois
Infantry, who were using the fort as an encampment.
In 1903, through the efforts of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 24
acres surrounding the site were purchased by the state and on Nov. 5, 1908, it
was officially dedicated as Illinois’ first state park.
FortArcheological and historical excavations were conducted on the site from
1939-42 and attempted again in 1966 , 1970, and during 2002. In the early 1970's
a replica of an American fort at Fort Massac was reconstructed off the original
site of the forts. The replica was based on the 1794 American Fort. This
reconstruction was brought down in the fall of 2002, to rebuild another replica
of a 1802 American fort. The original site, where all the forts were built has
the archeological outline of the 1757 French Fort.
The historic site is open to the public seven days a week. Contact the site
interpreter to arrange special programs for educational, scouting, civic or tour
groups.
Picnicking
Fort Massac is the perfect place to bring along a picnic lunch. Tables, grills
and drinking water are scattered throughout the grounds and there are three
playgrounds for kids. Four covered picnic shelters are available: one is
reservable, while the others are first-come, first-served.
Camping
There are 50 Class A vehicular campsites with electricity, a disposal station
and a shower building, tent camping, and a separate group campground.
Hiking
The park contains a one mile loop trail through grassy woods starting and
stopping near the fort. This trail is also designated as a Forest Watch Tree
Identification Trail. Brochures are available in the visitors' center for the
Tree Identification Trail. The 2.5-mile Hickory Nut Ridge Trail is one not to
miss, as it takes hikers along the scenic Ohio River.
Boating and FishingOhio River
Boating and fishing are permitted on and along the Ohio River. Anglers will find
bullhead, carp, catfish, crappie, drum and largemouth bass. The boat dock and
launch ramp are now open to the public.
Hunting
Hunting is permitted for squirrel, woodcock, dove and rabbit in some parts of
the park, and deer may be hunted with bow and arrow. Contact the park office for
specific hunting dates and shooting hours.
Special Events
The unique Fort Massac Encampment is held for two days each October. This
re-creation of the lifestyles and atmosphere of the late 1700s attracts more
than 80,000 people. Several times throughout the year the park puts on living
history weekends, where visitors can experience the past for themselves. (check
with the park office for specific dates) There is an antique car show every
June, in conjunction with the nationally known Superman Days in Metropolis.
Directions
Take Exit 37 off Interstate 24 into Metropolis.
.Follow the signs.
* While groups of 25 or more are welcome and encouraged to use the park's
facilities, they are required to register in advance with the site office to
avoid crowding or scheduling conflicts.
* At least one responsible adult must accompany each group of 15 minors.
* Pets must be kept on leashes at all times.
* Actions by nature can result in closed roads and other facilities. Please call
ahead to the park office before you make your trip.
* We hope you enjoy your stay. Remember, take only memories, leave only
footprints.
* For more information on tourism in Illinois, call the Illinois Department of
Commerce and Community Affairs' Bureau of Tourism at 1-800-2Connect.
* Telecommunication Device for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Natural Resources
Information (217) 782-9175 for TDD only Relay Number 800-526-0844.
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