Exploring Illinois’ Lowest Point at Fort Defiance State Park
May 2024
Geography, History, & Nature at Fort Defiance
At the southernmost tip of Illinois lies the state’s lowest geographical point, sitting just 279 feet above sea level. Here, at Fort Defiance State Park, historically known as Camp Defiance, geography, history, and the natural environment are connected. The park is situated at the Great Confluence, the exact point where the Ohio River meets the Mississippi River at the three-state border, with Missouri and Kentucky across the rivers.
On November 14, 1803, the Lewis and Clark Expedition met the Mississippi River for the first time. Here, near the modern-day city of Cairo, the Corps of Discovery camped for six days to train crew members in using a compass and a sextant, critical skills needed for mapping their journey westward along the Mississippi, Missouri, and Columbia rivers. Decades later, during the Civil War, the site was named Camp Defiance and was a strong military and naval base for the Union. Together with the nearby Cairo naval station, this strategic post was famously described as a “dagger pointed at the heart of the Confederacy.
In addition to its historical and geographic significance, this river delta functions as a crucial ecosystem for local wildlife and migrating birds. It’s part of the Mississippi Flyway. During our visit, we walked down the trail to the point where the two giants meet. Interestingly, the Mississippi actually looked less impressive than the Ohio River at the confluence point.
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As we stood there, we watched a tugboat make a wide turn on the Ohio River to head upstream into the Mississippi. 220 years ago, navigating these exact waters toward an unknown horizon must have felt more daunting. Still, sometimes, I wish we could time-travel to make it possible to see America’s wilderness through the eyes of Lewis and Clark.
