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Archaeologists discover Fort Saint Joseph in Niles, MI

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Fort Saint Joseph is discovered by archaeologists in Niles, MI ...

From 1691-1795 Fort Saint Joseph was located on what is now the south side of the present day town of Niles, Michigan, just south of the damn and the French Paper Mill.

In 1691 the fort was built by the French. Fort Saint Joseph was a significant stronghold of the fur trade at the southern end of Lake Michigan and the gateway to the Kankakee portage and the Mississippi River. The fort had many occupants and a number raids throughout the years. In October 1761 France turned the fort over to the British. Fort Saint Joseph was captured by Potawatomi Indians on May 25 1763 which was during Pontiac's Rebellion. After the rebellion, the fort no longer served as a military outpost, but it continued to be an important trading post. In 1780, the fort was raided by Americans from Cahokia, Illinois. On February 12, 1781 the fort was captured by an expedition of about 140 militia carrying a Spanish flag. They were Frenchmen and American Indians. Consequently, today Niles is known as the City of Four Flags. Fort Saint Joseph was finally abandoned by the British in 1795. This was after the Northwest Indian War and the signing of Jay's Treaty.

As time when by the specific location of the fort site was forgotten. Recently many have tried to pinpoint the exact location of the fort. After trial and error the fort was rediscovered in 1998. The water of the Saint Joseph river actually covers the site of Fort Saint Joseph. As a result, pumping technology was implemented around the site to remove the water to allow for the archaeological dig to begin and continue each year.

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Check out the links below to find out how Fort St. Joseph was discovered, it's history, the city of Niles, MI, and more about the organizations who are involved in finding and preserving the Fort.

Also discover the various books that are available about Fort St. Joseph in Niles, MI. Information on the Annual Open House is below too.

The Fort St. Joseph Archaeology Excavation Site (at Open House '08)

Iron Knife blades from Fort St. Joseph Site

Stone Hearth found at the Fort St. Joseph Site

Copper Alloy Rings found at the Fort St. Joseph Site

Western Michigan University Student Working at the excavation site for Fort St. Joseph

Screening is done here

Want to see the Fort St. Joseph Archaeology site in person? Visit the Annual Open House

It's Free of charge. Donations are appreciated. The public is invited to view ongoing excavations & to interact with the student archaeologists. To assist with interpreting the archaeology, past Open Houses have offered an Outdoor Museum with student-created informational panels and artifacts.

Photos from the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Site's Open Houses & Digs July, 2008, 2009, & 2010

Summer 2008 - Present

For some reason a few of the pictures here have recently not been showing up. I am trying to figure out the problem. I think I have fixed it but if there are no pictures here or some are missing you can go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/purpleladymom/ to view the photos. You will also be able to read the descriptions of each picture there too.

curated content from Flickr

Archaeologists discover Fort Saint Joseph in Niles, MI

Fort Saint Joseph is discovered by archaeologists in Niles, MI ...

Want to see the Fort St. Joseph Archaeology site in person? Visit the Annual Open House

Photos from the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Site's Open Houses & Digs July, 2008, 2009, & 2010

Summer 2008 - Present

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The Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Site Open House * August 13 & 14, 2011

Join the Facebook Fan Page " The Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project"

Fort St. Joseph History

Interesting Niles, MI items...

Books, Books, and More Books . . .

Books about Fort St. Joseph, Niles Michigan

Books about Niles, Michigan in Berrien County

Books by Michael Nassaney

Principal Investigator, Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project Professor of Anthropology at Western Michigan University

Books by Joseph L. Peyser 1925-2004

The late Indiana University South Bend professor emeritus of French and education & local expert on Fort St. Joseph, Niles, MI.

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