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Fort Bellefontaine 13002 Bellefontaine RoadSaint Louis, MO 63138 Locator Map Established in 1805 on the south, low-lying bank of the Missouri River, near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Belle Fontaine was the first U.S. military post located in the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. Originally called Cantonment Belle Fontaine, it served as an American Indian “factory” or trading post for local Sac, Fox and other American Indian tribes. General James Wilkinson, first governor of the Louisiana Territory and military commander, selected the site. Buildings at the site were erected by three companies of the First Infantry under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Kingsbury. The factory was removed from Fort Belle Fontaine in 1808, with part of the trade goods sent to Fort Osage on the Missouri River (near today’s Kansas City) and the remainder shipped up the Mississippi River to Fort Madison in Iowa.
In 1826, Fort Belle Fontaine was abandoned by the U.S. Army and replaced by Jefferson Barracks (1826-1946) in present south St. Louis County. Colonel Henry Atkinson, the last commanding officer of Fort Belle Fontaine, selected the site for the new post. A detachment to guard military stores was left behind under the command of John Whistler, the grandfather of the painter James McNeill Whistler. One small stone structure, possibly made from stone dug up from Foundations of the old fort’s buildings, remains.
The Prairie
Located in what once was the prairie belt of St. Louis County, the former 30 acre agricultural field has now been returned to prairie grasses and wildflowers. Once again the tall prairie grasses wave in the autumn wind. In addition to the prairie development a small wetland has been created on the prairie edge. The prairie and wetland host a number of plants and wildlife species making a seasonal trip to the park essential. A 3-mile loop trail traverses the prairie; overlooks the wetland; follows Coldwater Creek with its lush woodlands; and provides glimpses of the Missouri River.
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