Fort Dearborn Collection

Fort Dearborn, on the site of Chicago
Fort Dearborn in 1803, on the south side of the Chicago River. Hand-colored halftone reproduction of an illustration

Fort Dearborn on the Chicago River, 1812
Fort Dearborn on the site of present-day Chicago, 1812. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

ILLINOIS: FORT DEARBORN. Fort Dearborn, on the site of Chicago, Illinois, as it looked in 1812. Wood engraving, 19th century

Attack of Indians at Fort Dearborn (engraving)
654800 Attack of Indians at Fort Dearborn (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Attack of Indians at Fort Dearborn)

Fort Dearborn, Chicago, in 1857 (engraving)
3101637 Fort Dearborn, Chicago, in 1857 (engraving) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Fort Dearborn, Chicago, in 1857)

Treaty with the Pottawattomies at Fort Dearborn, 1833
Pottawattomies agreeing to a treaty at Fort Dearborn, Chicago, 1833. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Attack of Indians at Fort Dearborn, United States of America, Us, Usa, 1870S Engraving

FORT DEARBORN, 1816-1856. The last Fort Dearborn, demolished 1856, on the site that developed into the city of Chicago, Illinois. Lithograph, c1857

Attack of Indians at Fort Dearborn, United States of America, Us, Usa, 1870S Engraving

CHICAGO / FT. DEARBORN, 1820. Fort Dearborn on the site of Chicago, Illinois, as it appeared c1820
CHICAGO/FT. DEARBORN, 1820. Fort Dearborn on the site of Chicago, Illinois, as it appeared c1820. Wood egraving, American, late 19th century

CHICAGO, c1820. Fort Dearborn on the site of Chicago, Illinois, as it appeared c1820. Wood egraving, American, late 19th century

FORT DEARBORN, 1812. On the site of Chicago, Illinois, as it looked in 1812. Wood engraving, American, 19th century

FORT DEARBORN, 1830. Fort Dearborn, built at the mouth of the Chicago River in 1804, as it looked in 1830 with Chicago growing around it. Wood engraving, American, 1878

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Fort Dearborn, located on the site of present-day Chicago, Illinois, holds a significant place in American history. Established in 1803 and situated along the Chicago River, Fort Dearborn played a crucial role during the War of 1812. In August 1812, tensions escalated as British forces and their Shawnee Indian allies captured Fort Dearborn. Tragically, during this attack, the Indians mercilessly killed American prisoners. This event is vividly depicted in a colored engraving from that time. The fort faced further attacks by Native Americans throughout its existence. Another engraving showcases an intense battle between Indians and American soldiers at Fort Dearborn during the late 19th century. Over time, Chicago grew around Fort Dearborn's location. An engraving from 1857 shows how the city had expanded while still preserving remnants of its historical past. A significant moment occurred in 1833 when a treaty was signed with the Pottawattomie tribe at Fort Dearborn. This agreement marked an important step towards peaceful relations between settlers and Native Americans. Tragedy struck again during the War of 1812 when a massacre took place at Fort Dearborn on August 15th. A wood engraving from that era depicts this horrific event which served as one of many catalysts for war. The last iteration stood until its demolition in 1856 but remained etched into history as an emblematic symbol of early settlement and conflict within America's borders. Today, visitors can pay homage to those who lost their lives at Fort Dearborn through a monument erected to commemorate the massacre that occurred there during the War of 1812. It stands as a reminder of our nation's complex past and serves as a testament to resilience amidst adversity.