Archaeologists Look for Fort Russell-- Part 1

From the April 3, 2012, Edwardsville (Ill.) Intelligencer by Oliver Wiest.

They are still looking for the site of Fort Russell which was built 200 years ago to protect Edwardsville from  Indian attack during the War of 1812.  A government land office survey puts its site around Springfield Road northwest of Edwardsville.

A musket ball was found along Route 159, north of town.  The fort might have been there, but then again it might not.

What they do know is that it was a 150-foot square fortification located along what was then called Edwards Trace, now Springfield Road.  This path had been used by American Indians for a thousand years.

--Brock-Perry