METROPOLIS, Ill. -- An early 1800s frontier fort, along the Ohio River in the 1,500-acre Fort Massac State Park here will be reconstructed.

Illinois Gov. George H. Ryan announced this week a $4.45 million project to rebuild the fort, replacing the structure constructed in the early 1970s.

The fort is not historically accurate and is in need of substantial repairs, said Terry Johnson site superintendent at the park.

"The governor's announcement is great news," said Johnson, who has been at the site the past 13 years. "This park is a major Southern Illinois tourist attraction."

Due to the overwhelming popularity of historical and cultural sites, such as Fort Massac, Illinois is ranked No. 9 in the nation by the Travel Industry Association of America in historical and cultural travelers.

Annual encampment

The fort and site are maintained by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Special living history events are held at the fort throughout the year, and the fort is home to the annual Fort Massac Encampment Oct. 20 and 21.

The annual encampment attracts as many as 100,000 people for the two-day celebration, which re-creates the lifestyles of British, French and colonial American military forces that occupied the historic fort between 1757 and 1814.

The annual program features re-enactors, musicians, crafters, and interpretive videos designed to pay tribute to Illinois' frontier history.

The original fort was constructed in 1763 by the French during the French and Indian War. The site came under U.S. control in 1778 and was rebuilt to protect U.S. military and commercial interests in the Ohio River Valley.

Over the past 240 years, Fort Massac was rebuilt several times by the American military.

The annual October attraction features authentically uniformed military re-enactors, working crafts people, musical melodies played by bagpipers, fifes and drums, and foods of an earlier era.

Also included on the schedule are 18th century children's games, a children's puppet show and a women's tea to be held in the Living History Museum.

2 million visitors

The renovations to Fort Massac are expected to be completed in time for the Lewis and Clark National Expedition Celebration in November 2003.

The park is the second most-visited park in the state park system, attracting between 1.5 million and 2 million visitors a year. During the Christmas season, the park sponsors "Hometown Christmas," featuring an illuminated holiday light display from Nov. 27 through Dec. 31.

"Things are moving fast for the new fort," said Johnson, a Massac County native. "Documentation and research have been completed, and we hope to see some construction early next year."

Carol Knowles, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, said demolition of the present structure is expected to begin following the encampment.

"We should have a contractor named for the project soon," said Knowles.

The state also is undertaking a $665,000 project, expected to be completed in 2002, with plans to upgrade the boat launching and docking facilities on the Ohio River at Fort Massac. The funds will help build a two-lane concrete boat ramp, expand parking to provide space for up to 35 car-trailer combinations and install security lighting.

Fort Massac State Park is in Metropolis between Highway 45 and the Ohio River. The park's facilities include a large picnic area, shower building and playgrounds. Two trails are available for hiking: a half-mile loop through the park and a 2.5-mile Hickory Nut Ridge Trail along the river.

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