Prairie du Rocher in Randolph County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
1916 - Fort de Chartres Becomes a State Park
Photographed By Thomas Smith, September 10, 2022
1. 1916 - Fort de Chartres Becomes a State Park Marker
As the State of Illinois' second state park, Fort de Chartres, restoration began with the gun powder magazine in 1917. The state had taken ownership of the grounds in 1913. Further restorative efforts followed through the 1920's by uncovering the foundation. In the late 1920's and through the 1930's, the U. S. WPA rebuilt the land gate entrance and the two currently standing stone buildings. The fort's current economic impact is an attraction that brings 50,000 annual visitors to this area with an estimate of $6,350,000 (2022).
Historical Relevance
1918 - Spanish flu epidemic kills 20-50 million worldwide.
1919 - Road built from Prairie du Rocher to the Fort.
1920 - Prohibition begins; no local impact noticed.
2-year High School begins on St. Joseph's campus.
1921 - Prairie du Rocher Sun newspaper begins publication.
1927 - Charles Lindbergh flies across the Atlantic Ocean.
Babe Ruth hits 60 home runs.
1929 - Stock market crashes.
1930 - Great Depression begins.
1932 - Airport built and opens south of town.
Community merchants create "wheat script” in effort to help farmers in highest point of depression.
1933 - C. J. Kribs is elected Illinois State Senator and A. A. Brandsis elected to the Illinois House.
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1939 - Wizard of Oz shown in the theater.
Columbia Quarry starts mining the bluffs nearby.
In 1929 Illinois State Route 155 opened to traffic after four years of construction. The increase in visitors to the Fort and the necessity of travel between the neighboring town of Ruma, IL gave credence to the need to build the "hard road". Many travel this 10.81 mile stretch to visit the now designated French Historic Corridor.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers • War, French and Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.
Location. 38° 5.152′ N, 90° 5.855′ W. Marker is in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois, in Randolph County. Marker is at the intersection of Market Street and Court Street, on the right when traveling north on Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 215 Market St, Prairie du Rocher IL 62277, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1902 - Railroad Granted Easement (here, next to this marker); 1765 - Living under British Rule (a few steps from this marker); 1864 U.S. Civil War Skirmish in Prairie du Rocher
Photographed By Thomas Smith, September 10, 2022
2. 1916 - Fort de Chartres Becomes a State Park Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2022, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 12, 2022, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
