French Forts
in Indiana
By Allie Reisman and Sydney Meyer
Definition of a French Fort
Originally was a fortified building or place
that provided defense against attack.
Fort Vincennes
Fort Vincennes was built along the
Wabash River. It was built in 1702! The
fort was built by the French. Fort
Vincennes was renamed to Fort
Sackville in Vincennes, Indiana. It is the
oldest city in Indiana.
Fort Vincennes
Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne in modern Fort Wayne,
Indiana was established by Captain
Jean Francois Hamtrack under the
orders from General “MAD” Anthony
Wayne as part of the campaign against
the Indians at the Battle of Fallen
Timbers. Wayne may have chosen his
name himself- the fort was dedicated
the day after he left. The fort was
officially occupied by the army on
October 21st 1794. The fort was a basic
stockade with few buildings, and was
located near the present intersection of
Berry and Clay Streets.
Fort Ouiatenon
Fort Ouiatenon was established in 1717. It was
built by the French. At Fort Ouiatenon the
prosperity grew between 1720-1760 because
people came, and they started to trade
goods. The citizens of the fort were called the
Wea people. The fort was built to protect
against Great Britain’s western expansion.
(wee-won-i-ton)
A map of Fort Ouiatenon
Forts
Did you know… forts were used to help
defend against attack?
Blockhouse
Did you know… in blockhouses they had
tiny holes to shoot through?
Stockades
Did you know… they had stockades around
their forts? Stockades were fences around
the forts to protect them.