Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site — Attraction in Illinois

On April 8, 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to witness the total solar eclipse at the Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site in Illinois. The experience was truly unforgettable, made even better by the excellent staff and facilities at the site.

Despite the large crowd gathered for this once-in-a-lifetime event, the staff at Fort Kaskaskia were incredibly accommodating and well-prepared. They efficiently directed visitors to designated viewing areas and provided helpful information about the eclipse and the historical significance of the site.

The facilities at Fort Kaskaskia were more than adequate to support the large number of visitors. Restrooms were clean and well-maintained, and there were plenty of parking spaces available. The site also offered ample open space for visitors to set up their eclipse-viewing equipment and picnic blankets.

As for the eclipse itself, the views from Fort Kaskaskia were simply stunning. The historic site's location on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River provided a breathtaking backdrop for the celestial event. As the moon covered the sun and darkness fell over the landscape, the crowd erupted in cheers and gasps of amazement.

Overall, I highly recommend visiting Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site, especially during special events like the solar eclipse. The combination of history, natural beauty, and exceptional staff and facilities make it an...

This is place of beauty and history: a unique panoramic view of the Mississippi River valley from the bluffs above the confluence of the Mississippi and Kaskaskia Rivers plus echoes of history from Native American times through French and British colonial presence to Revolutionary War activity and then the Lewis and Clark exploration in 1803. Beyond that is the fascinating story of the town of Kaskaskia on the flood plane below. That requires a separate visit and longer paragraph! The fort is no longer here and there's not much left of the town except a few historic buildings preserved as a State Park (including the "Liberty Bell of the West" donated to the town by King Louis XV in 1749 and rung by Col. George Rogers Clark on July 4, 1787 after he captured the Ft. and "liberated" the town.) But the beauty and the stories of this place are...

Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site preserves the time-worn earthen remains of Fort Kaskaskia, constructed by the French ca. 1759 to defend the town of Kaskaskia. Founded in 1703, the town was for more than a century the region’s principal commercial center, also serving from 1818 to 1820 as the first capital of Illinois. The small fort, containing only a three-room barrack and a kitchen, was apparently never fully completed. The fort was periodically occupied by French or U.S. troops until 1807 and sheltered local settlers during Indian scares rising from the...