West Union in Clark County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Fort Handy

Photographed By Jason Voigt, July 6, 2020

1. Fort Handy Marker

Inscription. Fort Handy, built in 1816, was located 1200 feet southeast of this park on a knoll. The fort, the only structure of its kind in Clark County, was built by the family of Thomas Handy and contained three cabins and a well surrounded by a bulletproof palisade.

Erected 1967 by The West Union 4-H Clubs and the Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1816.

Location. 39° 12.461′ N, 87° 39.961′ W. Marker is in West Union, Illinois, in Clark County. Marker is on 1900th Street south of Hull Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located near the south edge of West Union Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 377 1900th St, West Union IL 62477, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Darwin (approx. 6.1 miles away); Wea Indian Trail (approx. 7.7 miles away in Indiana); Fairbanks' Massacre (approx. 7.8 miles away in Indiana); A Civil War Murder (approx. 7.8 miles away in Indiana); Hutson Memorial

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(approx. 8.2 miles away); Grave of Jane Todd Crawford (approx. 8.4 miles away in Indiana); Merom Bluff Chautauqua, 1905-1936 (approx. 11.6 miles away in Indiana); Merom Founded 1817 (approx. 11.7 miles away in Indiana).

Regarding Fort Handy. According to History of Crawford and Clark Counties, Illinois (edited by William Henry Perrin in 1883), Thomas Handy and his family are believed to be the first permanent settlers of Clark County, though it was disputed. They started a farm near present-day West Union. The fort was built after there were signs of nearby Native American hostility.

Also see . . . Road Trip (PDF file). An article from Illinois Heritage, written by a representative an Illinois State Historical Society, which he writes he thoughts, and poses many questions about the marker. (Submitted on July 7, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed By Jason Voigt, July 6, 2020

2. Fort Handy Marker

At West Union Park, next to the Corporal Guided Missile

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 413 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 7, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.