Note Card – Fort BelleFontaine
$2.00
This painting by retired Disney artist Ed French depicts the location where two of Pike’s expeditions left and returned; Fort (or Cantonment) BelleFontaine lies north of St. Louis on the Missouri River.
Description
The Art
Completed on January 27, 2020, this painting depicts the location where two of Pikes Expeditions left and returned- Fort or Cantonment BelleFontaine (north of St. Louis on the Missouri River).
- Medium: Ink
- Surface: Card Stock
- Size: 4.25″ x 5.5″
- 1 card with envelope
The Artist
Ed French is a former Disney artist, who has brought his enormous talent to depict extraordinary moments in American history, through the eyes of Zebulon Pike.
The Setting
The Pike Mississippi Expedition is shown leaving Cantonment BelleFontaine (in the background) [4 PM Friday, August 9, 1805] on the Missouri River in their large boat. Can you imagine pulling that boat through rapids while traveling upriver?
They traveled in the opposite direction up the Missouri on the 2nd Expedition which departed on Tuesday, July 15,1806 3 p.m. in two boats. The party consisted of two lieutenants, one surgeon, one sergeant, two corporals, 16 privates, and one interpreter. These were mostly the same on both expeditions – men loyal to Pike.
After 1807 the Cantonment was flooded several times and the fort was rebuilt high above the flood plane. Today a Grand Staircase built in the 1930’s by the Works Progress Administration leads down the hill where Pike walked to the River.
Additional information
| Size | 4.25" x 5.5" |
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