Palestine in Crawford County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Fort LaMotte

Photographed by Al Wolf

1. Fort LaMotte Marker

Inscription.
About 1812 the settlers in this area built Fort LaMotte for protection from hostile indians. The pioneers farmed the adjoining land but stayed within easy reach of the protective walls. After the War of 1812 the Indian threat diminished and the inhabitants of the Fort became the nucleus of Palestine.

Erected 1962 by Citizens of Palestine, Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.

Location. 38° 59.976′ N, 87° 36.173′ W. Marker is in Palestine, Illinois, in Crawford County. It is at the intersection of East Lamotte Street and South Leaverton Street, on the right when traveling east on East Lamotte Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Palestine IL 62451, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois

and in the Wabash Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cullom Homestead (approx. 0.4 miles away); Kitchell Grist Mill (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Christian Church (approx. half a mile away); Dubois Tavern (approx. half a mile away); Houston-Dickson Store

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(approx. half a mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); You Are Not Forgotten (approx. half a mile away); Auntie Gogin's Store (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palestine.

Also see . . . Historical Palestine, IL - A Town for Yesteryear and for Today. Heroes, Heroines, and History website entry (Submitted on December 18, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Wide View - - Fort LaMotte Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf

2. Wide View - - Fort LaMotte Marker

Looking East - - Fort LaMotte Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf

3. Looking East - - Fort LaMotte Marker

Looking South / East - - Fort LaMotte Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 11, 2009

4. Looking South / East - - Fort LaMotte Marker

Looking South - - Fort LaMotte Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 11, 2009

5. Looking South - - Fort LaMotte Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 2,606 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 15, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.