Fort Charette (1790-1804) - Established by French fur trader Joseph Chadron, this trading post near present-day Washington, Missouri was noted by Lewis and Clarkduring their Corps of Discovery exploration of the Missouri River. Stopping at the small outpost, they wrote in their diaries that it was the last white settlement they encountered. A village called La Charette grew up around the trading post and was one of the earliest melting-pot communities in the West, including Native Americans; African-Americans, French, Spanish, and German immigrants. In addition to Lewis and Clark, several other notable historic characters also passed through here, including Daniel Boone, Zebulon Montgomery Pike, John Colter , and a number of others who helped to shape history.

Unfortunately, the fort and the village was later washed away by the Missouri River in the floods of 1842-43. However, after several artifacts and remains of the old trading post were discovered in a farm field, the old post was painstakingly relocated and rebuilt in Washington. Today, the restored trading post, which is divided into a trade room, blacksmith's shop and frontier living quarters, houses an impressive collection of artifacts and period furnishings.

More Information:

Fort Charrette Historic Village 
4515 Old Highway 100 East 
Washington, Missouri 63090 
636-239-4202