UP the Might Mississip'

Leaving Cairo, it looks like we might have a choice! Which side of the river to travel up?

Up to St Louis, each side has it's points of interest.

 
 

Traveling up the East/Illinois side,

 
 

We'd be traveling up State Road # 3.

It looks like this might be a travel day.

Thebes Courthouse is a little way up the road from Cairo and might be just a short stop for photographs and to stretch the legs…… I don't see Illianna and the kids getting to excited about this one………. Of course, IF there are yards sales in progress along the route…….. ;-)

 
 

Now, continuing north, it looks like the next stop is Fort Kaskaskia. This is the location where big brother George Rodgers started his claim to fame. The remains of the fort are preserved today as a State historic monument. The following is from the state website.

 
 

Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site preserves the time-worn earthen remains of Fort Kaskaskia, constructed by the French ca. 1759 to defend the town of Kaskaskia. Founded in 1703, the town was for more than a century the region's principal commercial center, also serving from 1818 to 1820 as the first capital of Illinois. The small fort, containing only a three-room barrack and a kitchen, was apparently never fully completed. The fort was periodically occupied by French or U.S. troops until 1807 and sheltered local settlers during Indian scares rising from the War of 1812.

 

Today's historic site consists of four major sections: the remains of Fort Kaskaskia, Garrison Hill Cemetery, the Mississippi River overlook and picnic area, and a large campground. The remnants of Fort Kaskaskia include long earthworks forming a rough square, with bastions at the corners. Garrison Hill Cemetery was established in 1891 by the General Assembly for the remains of early settlers whose graves were threatened by the flooding of Kaskaskia. A large monument erected in 1892 and commemorating the early settlers is also located in the cemetery.

 

The grassy bluff overlooking the Mississippi provides a sweeping view of the river and Kaskaskia Island. Panels describe the rich history of Kaskaskia village, including its destruction in the 1880s-1890s by the Mississippi River. The overlook and nearby day-use area include picnic shelters with tables and grills. A campground includes tent-camping sites and thirty-two electrified sites. Playground equipment is located near each end of the day-use area. A footpath leads to the Pierre Menard Home State Historic Site, located at the bottom of the bluff.

Fort Kaskaskia hosts a "Traditional Music Festival" on the third weekend in September. Contact the site for details.

 
 

Pasted from <http://www.state.il.us/hpa/hs/fort_kaskaskia.htm>

 
 

Again a stop and maybe a picnic and short stop….

 
 

I had no idea about the "Liberty Bell of the West" or the Kaskaskia Bell here is a brief excerp:

The Kaskaskia Bell can be found on the 14,000-acre Kaskaskia Island, the only part of Illinois that lies west of the Mississippi River. Cast in LaRochelle, France in 1741, the 650 lb. bell is slightly smaller in size and weight than Philadelphia's Liberty Bell, but is eleven years older. The church bell was a gift of King Louis XV of France to the people of the Illinois Country. One side of the bell is ornamented with the royal lilies of France in relief. The other side bears a cross and pedestal, with the top and arms of the cross terminating in grouped fleur-de-lis. The French inscription reads, "For the church of Illinois by the gift of the King".

The bell became known as the "Liberty Bell of the West" following the capture of the town of Kaskaskia by George Rogers Clark during the American Revolution. The village had been under British rule since 1763, when the French ceded the Illinois Country to Great Britain after the French and Indian War and the Peace of Paris. The capture of the town came about during a nighttime raid by Clark and his Long Knives. The following day, July 4, 1778, Clark announced that neither the inhabitants nor their property would be harmed. The villagers, "nearly frantic with joy", rang the bell in thanksgiving.

 

Just up the way is the Pierre Menard House which is an example of "French Creole-style architecture" which shows the lasting influence of the French along the river. Again, I am not so sure that Illianna and the Kids will be interested but maybe a short stop…..

 
 

Further up the river is the Fort de Chartres State Historic Site (IL)

Which is an old stone French fort. I don't know, but maybe Illianna and the kids will be interested byut I kind of doubt it ;-) Like I said, I imagine about this time in the trip I will start hearing how they all look alike etc….. ;-) An I imagine that about this time, they are going to be getting anxious to get up to St Louis and get set up for the night.

 
 

As I look at it, I really don't see that much of interest on the Missouri side of the River as far as historic sites and what not. There are a few town of Historic interest that I am sure have history and deserve more in-depth research. Maybe that will be the next Post Looking at the opportunities on that side of the river. Of course, if we are going to follow the Lewis & Clark trail, we really should stay on the the east side of the river as the Louisiana Purchase had not been completed yet and the Spanish were administering the area for the French. That is why Lewis & Clark made camp east of the river at Camp Dubois till the garrison commander at St Louis received word of the transfer of property….