La Salle, on his return voyage in…

La Salle, on his return voyage in the winter of 1682, had established Fort Saint Louis to replace Fort Crevecoeur, situated on a large butte by the river.

Called La Roches, the butte provides an advantageous position for the fort above the Illinois River.

A wooden palisade is the only form of defense that La Salle has used in securing the site.

Inside the fort are a few wooden houses and native shelters.

La Salle, appointeing Tonti to command the fort, has traveled to France for supplies.

With an increase in French settlers in the area, the Kaskaskia return by 1683.

The French, who intend St. Louis to be the first of several forts to defend against English incursions and keep their settlements confined to the East Coast, are able to provide the Kaskaskia with guns in exchange for other goods, which they use for defense against the powerful Iroquois, already armed by the English.

Accompanying the French to the region are allied members of several native tribes from eastern areas, who integrate with the Kaskaskia: the Miami, Shawnee, and Mahican.

The tribes establish a new settlement at the base of the butte known as Hotel Plaza.