PRAIRIE DU ROCHER – This weekend in Prairie du Rocher, residents and friend alike will be celebrating the 300th anniversary founding of this old French town.
Classic Rock 931 FM will be on hand for the celebration:
Here are the events planned:
Some important dates in the Prairie du Rocher area’s history.
1703 French Jesuit Missionary, Pierre-Gabriel Marest, allied with Kaskaskia and Tamaroa Native Americans, established a new village along the west bank of the Michigamea River (now the Kaskaskia).
1714 Contruction of a stone church begins to replace the original log chapel of 1703 in the Village of Kaskaskia.
1717 Civil government emerged for the new province of Illinois and the territory was formally annexed, becoming part of Louisiana.
1720 Original Fort de Chartres built by the French – constructed of upright logs.
1721 Saint Anne Parish du Fort de Chartres established.
1722 Prairie du Rocher founded.
1735 Melliere home built in Prairie du Rocher.
1753 Historic Creole House built.
1767 Records and sacred vessels of St. Anne’s Parish transferred to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, considered the only true French parish in the Diocese of Belleville.
1753-56 New Fort de Chartres built of regional limestone.
1765 French surrender Fort de Chartres to the British.
1772 Fort de Chartres abandoned by the British due to Mississippi River flooding.
1818 Illinois becomes a state and Kaskaskia is named the Capital.
1825 General Lafayette visits Kaskaskia.
1858 Cornerstone of current St. Joseph’s church structure laid.
1881 Mississippi River flooding, due to an ice jam, alters the river’s channel and shifts the confluence with the Kaskaskia River east.
1913 Illinois legislature designates Fort de Chartres a state park.
1966 Fort de Chartres and Modoc Rock Shelter added to the National Registry of Historic Places and listed as National Landmarks.
1973 The Creole House added to the National Registry of Historic Places.
1974 The French Colonial Historic District created, encompassing 22 square miles in and surrounding Prairie du Rocher, and added to the National Registry of Historic Places along with the Kolmar site (ancient Indian village located between Prairie du Rocher and Fort de Chartres).