Archaeologists discover Fort Saint Joseph in Niles, MI
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Fort Saint Joseph is discovered by archaeologists in Niles, MI ...
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.
Fort St. Joseph History Resources & Links
Support the Fort
Group involved in supporting the Fort. Many items more...3 points
Brigade.Org - St. Joseph 2008 Annual Open House
Directions, Events, History July 26-27, 20083 points
WMU News - Open house set for Fort St. Joseph Project in Niles
News from WMU3 points
Fort St. Joseph Open House Official Site
The Open House features excavations of Fort St. Joseph more...3 points
Archaeologists find Fort Saint Joseph - November 5, 1998 Release
Read the details in the press release2 points
Support the Fort (History of the Archaeological Project)
History of Fort St. Joseph & the History of th more...2 points
Support the Fort Membership Application
Support the Fort Membership application can be pri more...2 points
Michigan Humanities Council :: Press Release about the FSJ Project
The Michigan Humanities Council today awarded a $6 more...2 points
Archaeologists, visitors look over findings at Fort of St. Joseph in Niles
News video from the Open House '082 points
Niles Business Directory
Find information about local businesses in Niles, more...2 points
Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project Official Site
Find information on the history of Fort St. Joseph more...2 points
Fort St. Joseph Museum
Featured exhibits portray the history of Fort St. more...1 point
Article in the Michigan History Magazine (about the dig to find the fort)
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 20011 point
Fort St. Joseph artifacts and Sitting Bull story
The story of Sitting Bull and a Michigan Family -- more...1 point
SEARCH FOR FORT ST. JOSEPH (1691-1781) IN NILES, MICHIGAN, THE | Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology | Find Articles at BNET.com
SEARCH FOR FORT ST. JOSEPH (1691-1781) IN NILES, M more...1 point
Shore Magazine
Uncovering history in Niles, MI1 point
Forex trading school
IntelliTraders Experts will teach you how to make more...1 point
Miami Web Design
Miami Web Design provides you with creative and af more...1 point
Ethnohistory Projects at WMU
Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project0 points
Brigands Folie - Fort St. Joseph Arch. Project Open House - 2008
Welcome to the Archaeological Dig Open House at hi more...0 points
Archaeological Institute of America - AFOB Online Listing
WMU's 33rd annual field school will again be condu more...0 points
The History of St. Joseph County, Michigan :: The Southwest Michigan Directory
The History of St. Joseph County, Michigan0 points
Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce
Helpful when visiting Niles, MI0 points
Once Upon a River: A Children's History of Niles
PDF excerpt...Excellent old pictures of Niles & more...0 points
Midwest Archaeological Conference
A stone fireplace exposed at Fort St. Joseph, Nile more...0 points
St. Joseph County, Indiana History Chapter One
In 1680, the French established and built Fort Sai more...0 points
The French & Indian War
Fort St. Joseph is no longer in existence, but the more...0 points
Michigan.Org
Information on the Museum in Niles0 points
The History of Berrien County, Michigan :: The Southwest Michigan Directory
The History of Berrien County, Michigan0 points
The Society for Historical Archaeology
The Society for Historical Archaeology0 points
MISSAR-War Sites about Fort St. Joseph
Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution0 points
Early Railroad Niles, MI
Time line0 points
MIAMI INDIANS ETHNOHISTORY ARCHIVES: St. Joseph Mission
THE ST. JOSEPH MISSION- The Mississippi Valley Historical more...0 points
Michigan Forts
A listing of all the Forts in Michigan0 points
Joseph L. Peyser Endowment
for the Study of New France0 points
Joseph L. Peyser - Memorial
Peyser Remembered & Memorial Information-India more...0 points
IU South Bend Honors Program - Peyser Scholarship
The Joseph L. and Julia B. Peyser Scholarship0 points
Early Chicago - Chicago History
History of Chicago pre 1835 with lots of connectio more...0 points
BRPA - Ambush & Revenge Book
This very descriptive book of the start of the Fre more...0 points
The President's House in Historic Philadelphia
President's House in Philadelphia no longer exists more...0 points
New Philadelphia Illinois - Free Frank
Free Frank McWhorter's story is a very interesting more...0 points
Michigan Archaelogical Society
Formed in the 1930's for people dedicated to unear more...0 points
The Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Site Open House * August 13 & 14, 2011
Join the Facebook Fan Page " The Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project"
Click here to get to The Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project Facebook Page
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.
What are your thoughts about my Fort St. Joseph Lens?
Have any comments you would like to share?
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studyaids Sep 22, 2011 @ 12:09 pm | delete
- A very useful and interesting lens indeed.
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purpleladymom
Sep 22, 2011 @ 12:19 pm | delete
- In case you are interested, the Open House will be Aug 11 & 12, 2012.
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purpleladymom
Nov 16, 2011 @ 2:40 pm | delete
- In case you are interested, the Open House will be Aug 11 & 12, 2012.
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TheWhistler
Aug 9, 2011 @ 11:10 pm | delete
- Very interesting, Thanks.
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Tipi
Jul 28, 2011 @ 9:30 pm | delete
- What an exciting historic find. My sister in law goes on archeological digs every summer and would go cray over this, very nicely done!
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purpleladymom
Jul 29, 2011 @ 9:37 am | delete
- There are weekly camps for those adults who 'always wanted to be an archaeologist'. Keep that in mind for next year. Visit this link to plan for next year. http://www.ci.niles.mi.us/Community/FortStJosephMuseum/ArcheologicalDig.htm
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ArtByLinda Jul 28, 2011 @ 10:10 am | delete
- I think this is a wonderful lens, filled with interesting information and I love the photos. Well done, Blessed!
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Andromache
Jul 28, 2011 @ 8:44 am | delete
- Nice lens! Good luck with the work, it sounds really interesting!
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My name is Jan. I am a mother of three beautiful children, two girls & a boy. They are all grown now and have families of their own. I also have six g... more »
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