Fort Armstrong (Rock Island, Illinois)
Rock Island · Illinois · Indian Wars
History & Significance
Construction began on May 10, 1816, with 600 soldiers and 150 laborers assigned to the project; it was named for John Armstrong, Secretary of War under President James Madison. The fort, built of stone and timber in a 300-foot square, was completed in 1817 and consisted of three large blockhouses at prominent corners.
After construction, fewer than 200 soldiers garrisoned the post. During the Black Hawk War of 1832, General Winfield Scott led 1,000 troops to Fort Armstrong; by the time troops reached Rock Island only 220 soldiers remained alive, having contracted cholera en route, and within eight days, 189 people died in a local epidemic.
The fort was garrisoned by United States troops until May 4, 1836; it then served as headquarters for the Sauk and Fox Indian Agent from 1836 to 1838 and as a military depot from 1840 to 1845. The fort was destroyed by fire in 1855.
Key Facts
Map
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🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Historic frontier military post on Mississippi River island
- Black Hawk War era barracks and fortification ruins
- Indian affairs administration and settler-Native American trade hub
- Museum exhibits on War of 1812 and regional frontier history
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Armstrong_(Illinois)
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=33225
- https://home.army.mil/ria/about/history
- https://www.army.mil/article/219705/ria_self_guided_tour_fort_armstrong