The courthouse, initially built as a dwelling in the 1730s, is a unique remnant of the French
presence in Illinois. Converted to a courthouse in 1793, for the next 20 years it served as a center of
political activity in the Northwest Territory. It was dismantled in 1901, re-erected twice, and
reconstructed on its original site in 1939. The structure is an excellent example of early French log
construction known as poteaux-sur-solle. Upright hewn logs are seated on a horizontal log sill; the
spaces between logs are filled with stone and mortar chinking. The building rests on its original
stone foundation and contains four rooms that were originally used as a courtroom, schoolroom,
and legal offices. It is open to the public as part of the Colonial Cahokia State Historic Site in
Cahokia, Illinois.
Members of the Corps of Discovery first arrived at the village of Cahokia in present-day Illinois on 7
December 1803. Clark wrote that he “came to at 3 oClock at the Kohokia Landing, which is at the mouth
of Kohokia Creek ¾ of a mile from the Town, and in view of St Louis which is about 2½ miles distant.”
While encamped at nearby Wood River into May 1804, Lewis and Clark used the Cahokia Courthouse as
a headquarters for collecting infor mation, meeting with territorial leaders, gathering supplies, and
corresponding with President Thomas Jefferson through Postmaster John Hay. The courthouse greatly
facilitated their ability to make comprehensive plans for the Expedition.
Old Holy Family Church, Cahokia, Illinois, dates from about
1799. Restored in 1951, it is used regularly for religious
services. (Courtesy, Evening and Sunday Journal, East St.
Louis.)
CAHOKIA