Fort Bellefontaine
Encyclopedia
Fort Bellefontaine was the first United States military installation in the Louisiana Territory
.
Located on the south bank of the Missouri River
, in Missouri
, Fort Bellefontaine was first a Spanish military post. Later, by a treaty made between the United States Government, signed by William H. Harrison and representatives of the Native American
Sac tribe and Fox tribe (on November 3, 1804), the fort became a fur trading post of the United States Government. Rudolf Tiller served as factor
and Col. Thomas Hunt served as first in command.
The use of the fort as a trading post was discontinued after 1808, and from 1809 to 1826 it served as a United States Military Fort. During that time period, from about 1809 to 1815, the fort served as the headquarters of the Department of Louisiana, and was the regional Army headquarters during the War of 1812
. Its sister forts were Fort Osage
along the Missouri near modern Kansas City
, which controlled trade with western Indians; and Fort Madison in what is now Iowa
, which controlled trade of the Upper Mississippi.
Louisiana Territory
The Territory of Louisiana or Louisiana Territory was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 4, 1805 until June 4, 1812, when it was renamed to Missouri Territory...
.
Located on the south bank of the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
, in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, Fort Bellefontaine was first a Spanish military post. Later, by a treaty made between the United States Government, signed by William H. Harrison and representatives of the Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
Sac tribe and Fox tribe (on November 3, 1804), the fort became a fur trading post of the United States Government. Rudolf Tiller served as factor
Factor (agent)
A factor, from the Latin "he who does" , is a person who professionally acts as the representative of another individual or other legal entity, historically with his seat at a factory , notably in the following contexts:-Mercantile factor:In a relatively large company, there could be a hierarchy,...
and Col. Thomas Hunt served as first in command.
The use of the fort as a trading post was discontinued after 1808, and from 1809 to 1826 it served as a United States Military Fort. During that time period, from about 1809 to 1815, the fort served as the headquarters of the Department of Louisiana, and was the regional Army headquarters during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. Its sister forts were Fort Osage
Fort Osage
Fort Osage was part of the United States factory trading post system for the Osage Nation in the early 19th century near Sibley, Missouri....
along the Missouri near modern Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, which controlled trade with western Indians; and Fort Madison in what is now Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, which controlled trade of the Upper Mississippi.