Once known to weary westbound pioneers as a must-stop destination, Fort Belle Fontaine was built immediately after the Louisiana Purchase was signed to protect the newly prominent gateway to the west, St. Louis. Today, Fort Belle Fontaine is a hidden gem county park nestled along the muddy banks of the Missouri River. The ruins are not the original wooden encampment, which rotted away over a century ago. Instead, these limestone structures, outbuildings, stone fireplaces, and bathhouses were added much later during the Works Progress Administration project. The beautification initiative drew…
