McMahan's Fort

McMahan's Fort (1812-1814) - A War of 1812 settlers Fort established in 1812 (or 1813) in Lamine Township, Cooper County, Missouri. Named McMahan's Fort after William McMahan. Burned down in 1814. History At the outbreak of the War of 1812 the settlers around Boonesboro, Missouri began construction of forts as refuges from British sponsored hostile Indian attacks. The settlers were spread out in farms along a fertile plain on the north side of the Missouri River and in small settlements on the south side so many forts were required to provide safety for all. In all, some 500 to 600 persons gathered in these forts for protection. At the west end of the plain was the economic engine of the area, the Boone's Lick salt works. Boone's Lick was named after the sons of Daniel Boone and was in fact a series of saltwater springs. The saltwater was boiled down to produce salt crystals which were packaged and shipped to St. Louis at a profit. The Indian attacks became so severe by 1814 that the salt works were shut down until 1815 when peace was made with the warring Indian tribes. Boone's Lick Forts During the War of 1812. North Side of River Cooper's Fort the largest of the forts McLean's Fort aka Fort Hempstead Fort Kincaid near river, about 1.5 miles from the site of Old Franklin; named for David Kincaid. Head's Fort, 4 miles above Rocheport on the Big Mohiteau, near the old Boonslick trail from St. Charles most easterly fort South Side of River Sibley's Fort Cox's Fort Reid's Fort Blockhouse Burned Stephen Cole's Fort Hannah Cole's Fort, located on a bluff overlooking the river, at a point of rocks, where a lime-kiln once stood. McMahan's Fort Blockhouses burned located on the south side of the river, supposed to be about five miles from Cooper's Fort A settler fort probably erected in 1812 (or 1813), this Indian defense was located on the south side of the Missouri River, Lamine Township, south of Cooper's Fort and south of Arrow Rock. William McMahan served as a First Lieutenant in Sarshall Cooper's company of 112 rangers. In 1814 Some fourteen families lived at or near this fort when a large group of Indians appeared at the fort. The settlers all fled across the Missouri River to Cooper's Fort carrying their household goods with them but by necessity leaving their livestock and horses behind. The Indians camped by the fort, burned it, and John McMahan’s house down, stole 66 horses, and destroyed the cattle, sheep, and corn. Most settlers did not return after the Indians finally left some two weeks later and the Fort was not rebuilt. The War of 1812 ended in December 1814 but hostilities with the Indians continued into 1815. Current Status The exact site is not known and the coordinates presented here represent a guess as to the approximate location. Said to be about five miles from Cooper's Fort and in Lamine Township. No known markers. Location: Lamine Township, Cooper County, Missouri. Maps & Images Lat: 38.98923 Long: -92.86785 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: ?' GPS Locations: 38.98923, -92.86785 Site location guess See Also: Cooper's Fort Sources: Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 460. Links: North American Forts - McMahan's Fort Events of the Indian Wars of 1812-1815 In the Area of Boone's Lick Settlement - McMahan's Fort page 118-120 Visited: 20 Aug 2020 Area