St. Louis Region
Fort Belle Fontaine puts early American St. Louis County on the river
Fort Belle Fontaine Park gives north St. Louis County an early-river story that is easy to miss from today’s road map.
St. Louis County Parks says Fort Belle Fontaine was established in 1805 as the first American fort west of the Mississippi River. The same county page notes that the fort also worked as a trading post.
Use County Parks for current access, park rules, and the history page before planning a visit.
That is a lot of history for a county park. The place links the Missouri River, early U.S. military presence, trade, and later parkland in one stop. It also helps balance the county’s more familiar south-and-west landmarks with a north-county river anchor.
Where to see it
- Fort Belle Fontaine Park
Use St. Louis County Parks for the official park and history pages.
References
More from St. Louis County: browse every local note for the county.
Last checked against the sources above: July 16, 2026.