Fort Bellefontaine Staircase

Bellefontaine Cemetery and Fort, Elsewhere 070

Fort Bellefontaine Park, far north at the very end of Bellefontaine Road (Broadway in the city) remains one of the most beautiful but neglected sites in the region. What is interesting about the site is that none of the fort remains, and the iconic staircase was built as a WPA project. Beyond a security checkpoint for a county medical institution, it is worth the visit. The dramatic staircase cascades down to the river like the Spanish Steps in Rome. Fountains once adorned the stairs, but they no longer function. See more of the park, supposedly made of stones from the fort.

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4 Comments Add yours

  1. Tom Maher - Kirkwood MO says:

    There is a small building thought to have been built from the remains of the original (second?) fort.
    Other WPA structures remain, although decrepit.
    http://nocostl.com/2010/11/fall-photo-essay-fort-belle-fontaine/
    and http://www.dk-studio.com/2014/fort-bellefontaine/

    1. Chris Naffziger says:

      Tomorrow!

  2. Angela Bennett says:

    Many a interesting gem.in NoCo. Once saw a couple carrying a 26 lb catfish out from the river hete. Amazing.

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