When Kaskaskia, Illinois, served as the first state capital in the early 1800s, its population was somewhere between 3,000 and 8,000. Today, the population is fewer than 25, and the only way to access this Mississippi River town is through Missouri. Only accessible through Missouri? That curiosity alone made us want to check it out.
How Kaskaskia, Illinois, Became Accessible Only Through Missouri
In the early 1800s, steamboats became prevalent on the Mississippi River. Because the steamboats needed to burn wood, woodcutters harvested trees along the river. Some believe the deforestation of the area is the root cause of what happened next.
In April 1881, a major Mississippi River flood destroyed most of Kaskaskia. When the flood waters subsided, Kaskaskians found their town west of the Mississippi instead of on the river’s east bank. With the change in topography due to the deforestation, the Mississippi River had changed its course!
Since the Mississippi River is the border between Illinois and Missouri, Kaskaskia essentially ended up in Missouri. However, the powers that be chose not to change the state line, so Kaskaskia remains an Illinois town to this day.
In case you’re wondering, this happened long after the Illinois state capital had moved from Kaskaskia to Vandalia and subsequently to Springfield. So, there was never an issue of the state capital being inaccessible from within Illinois.
What to See in Kaskaskia
As you drive Old Channel Road from Missouri into Illinois, it’s fun to notice the Illinois State Line sign over what looks like a small stream. The stream is all that is left of the Mississippi waters that flowed there before the river changed its course.
Kaskaskia Bell Memorial
In the year 1741, back when Kaskaskia was a French possession, King Louis XV of France had a bell cast for the Catholic Church of Illinois Country.
The area later fell under British rule. Then, on July 4, 1778, during the American Revolution, George Rogers Clark and a group of frontiersmen captured Kaskaskia from the British. Taking Kaskaskia was a key part of Clark’s Illinois campaign, which helped secure the Northwest Territory for the United States.
Villagers rang the bell in celebration, and the bell earned the title, “Liberty Bell of the West.”
Today the bell is on display in a building that stands next to the Church of the Immaculate Conception (not the original church building).
When we first saw bars across the doors of the building, we assumed it was closed. It turns out the doors are automated. To the side of the door are two buttons. One opens the doors inward, giving you a good view of the interior. The bars prevent you from actually entering. The second button plays an audio clip that tells the history of the bell.
If You Visit Kaskaskia, Illinois
The Kaskaskia Bell Memorial is accessible from sunrise to sunset daily. If coming from Illinois, cross the Mississippi River at Chester and enter “Kaskaskia IL” into your GPS. (Map embedded below.)
Learn more about the early Illinois Territory on the Illinois State Museum website.
Related Content
Tour the Oldest Existing Illinois Capitol Building, Vandalia