Reconstruction drawing of Fort St. Louis.

The story of Fort St. Louis in the coastal region of Texas begins with French explorer Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle. La Salle had an ambitious plan to establish a colony at the mouth of the Mississippi River to maintain France's claim on the Louisiana Territory. He also hoped to eventually invade Spanish silver mines in what is now northern Mexico.

With support from France's King Louis XIV , La Salle led an expedition in 1684 to the New World. He failed to find the mouth of the Mississippi and landed 400 miles away in Matagorda Bay, Texas, still thinking he was close to his destination. In 1685, La Salle established Fort St. Louis on the west bank of Garcitas Creek.

Life at the colony was difficult and grim. From some 150 original inhabitants who arrived at Fort St. Louis, the group dwindled to about 40 by January 1687. La Salle then tried, along with 17 of the fort's able-bodied men, to hike to distant French forts in the Great Lakes region. The trek resulted in more tragedy, including La Salle's assassination by his own men.

Left at Fort St. Louis to fend for themselves, about 20 people, including women and children, eked out an existence - until attacked by Karankawa Indians in the winter of 1688-89. When the Spanish found the fort in 1689, they discovered and buried the bodies of three French colonists killed by the Indians. In 1722 Spain built a presidio directly over the remains of the French fort.

Texas Historical Commission archeologists have made a number of exciting discoveries and unearthed tens of thousands of artifacts, including cannons, musket balls, gunflints, pottery, coins and many other items used by the colonists.

Meet the Project Directors

Excavation Highlights and Artifacts

Teacher Lesson Plans
Use our Lesson Plans for Texas history students.

Fort St. Louis Sponsors
See our list of project donors.