Petit Fort

Petit Fort
Petit Fort
Porter, Indiana
Location of Petit Fort (signs on the right) on Lake Michigan, which is south of the Bathhouse
Coordinates	41°39′39″N 87°03′44″W / 41.660798°N 87.062359°W / 41.660798; -87.062359
Site history
Built	18th century
Built by	French
In use	Fur Trade Post
Demolished	1779
Battles/wars	American Revolution

Petit Fort was a structure located in northwestern Indiana, in or near the Indiana Dunes, near the mouth of Fort Creek, now known as Dunes Creek. It may have been a French military outpost, but was more likely a private residence, trading post, or at most a support station for larger forts in the area. The National Park Service refers to it as a "fur depot."^[1]

The fort came under the dominion of the British following their ultimate victory in the French and Indian War. It is unclear whether the British ever really utilized Petit Fort; at best it was a station for British fur traders. It was abandoned in 1779 as American settlers rebelled and Great Britain consolidated power in more fortified strongholds.

There are few records of Petit Fort, it being mentioned in only a few letters and at least one map. "Petit Fort" is, in fact, a description rather than a proper name, translating literally to "small fort". It is remembered primarily due to a small military action that occurred there during the American Revolution.