Fort Osage (Sibley, Missouri)
Sibley · Missouri · War of 1812
History & Significance
Lewis and Clark noted the site in June 1804 as they camped across the river during their expedition, describing its high commanding position more than 70 feet above the water. In 1804, Pierre Chouteau brought Osage chiefs to Washington to meet President Jefferson, who promised to build them a trading post.
Fort Osage was one of three forts established to control the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase territories west of the Mississippi River. The Treaty of Fort Clark, signed in November 1808, established the fort as a trading post to protect the Osage and provided a military garrison, in exchange for the Osage ceding all lands east of the fort.
Captain Eli Clemson commanded the military garrison from 1808 until evacuation in 1813. The government trading factory at Fort Osage was the busiest and most profitable of all government-operated trading stores.
Factor George C. Sibley reported prosperous trade with the Osage due to goods being sold at prices less than half what private traders charged. After the war, the fort was reoccupied in 1815. The fort remained populated until 1827 when it was abandoned due to closure of the factory.
Key Facts
Map
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🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Reconstructed War of 1812-era trading post on the Missouri River
- Exhibits on frontier commerce and Osage Nation relations
- Artifacts and information on Lewis and Clark Expedition
- Historic buildings showing early 19th-century frontier life
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Osage
- https://www.nps.gov/places/fort-osage-national-historic-landmark.htm
- https://missouriencyclopedia.org/places/fort-osage
- https://www.lewisandclark.travel/listing/fort-osage-national-historical-landmark/
- https://historicsibleymo.com/historyof/fort-osage/
- http://www.jacksongov.org/fortosage