In 1783, James Piggot erected a fort at the foot of the bluff, a mile and a half west of Columbia where a small creek, called by the French the Grand Ruisseau, emerged from the bluff. This fort was home to 14 families--the largest settlement at that time along the entire Cahokia-Kaskaskia Trail--creating the nucleus for the earliest American settlement of the Illinois territory. It was a celebrated place in those early times, known as Piggot's Fort. While many believe the stone foundation across from Sackman Field at 11832 Bluff Rd. to be a remnant of Piggot’s Fort, the exact location is open for discussion. Members of the Illinois War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, Columbia Historical Society, Columbia Heritage & Preservation Commission, and the Sand Bank School Historical Society have joined forces to try and settle the question during this coming year. As a first step, a forum will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on November 30th at Sand Bank School, located just north of the currently designated Piggot's Fort site.
Anyone interested in the history of the area should plan to stop by and share information with early Illinois settlement historian Bill Wilson, Monroe County historian and author Gene Haller, and other experts.
I realize this is an old article but am interested in what was concluded about the true location of Piggot's Fort as James Piggot was my great-great-great-great grandfather.
ReplyDeleteJohn I. Blair
Arlington, Texas
blairbards@sbcglobal.net
I have just found out this very morning that my daughter descends from this man. I recognized the name from having previously visited the area while geocaching. Even better is we live close by on the Missouri side. Will be heading back to the area very soon to revisit with renewed appreciation.
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