Fort Dearborn

It was not until 1803 that the War Department ordered the construction of a fort at the south side of the mouth of the Chicago River . Troops arrived in the area on August 17 and began building shelters and a stockade. A year later, Fort Dearborn named in honor of the Secretary of War, General Henry Dearborn, was completed.

For some years the garrison was peaceful and traders flourished. However, the outbreak of the War of 1812 with Great Britain moved the government to order the evacuation of the fort. The threatening attitude of the Indians led the entire population of the settlement to follow the garrison. After leaving the fort, the evacuees were attacked by Indians and many of the party were massacred and the fort was destroyed.

In 1816 the fort was rebuilt and was thereafter occupied by United States troops for twenty-one years. In 1837 it was abandoned but the fort stood until 1856.

Fort Dearborn was located with in the Boundaries of our District. There is a monument at 18th Street near the I.C. railroad tracks.  

Bird's Eye view of Old Fort Dearborn*

1. Main Entrance of the Fort passing beneath a building, the upper story of which was directly over the passageway. 

2. Location of the "sally port" or underground passage, running from the interior of the fort to the river. 

3. Gateway to the west. 

4. Block-house at the northwest corner of the fort. 

5. Block-house at the southeast corner of the fort.

6. Officers' Quarters.

7. Barracks for the Troops.

8. Magazine.

*Drawing from "The Story of the Old Fort Dearborn"  Josiah Currey.