Fort Zumwalt, Missouri.
Fort Zumwalt, located in present-day O’Fallon, Missouri, was a frontier fortress initially built by Jacob Zumwalt.
At first, it included only a log cabin for his family; however, when the War of 1812 erupted, he enlarged the home with two wings, added portholes to the walls, and enclosed it with a stockade fence. It soon became a gathering place for area settlers during Indian uprisings. Zumwalt sold his property in 1817, and in 1837, it was sold again to Major Nathan Heald, who built a large home in 1884.
Today, the site is Fort Zumwalt Park. Amazingly, a stone chimney with two fireplaces from the original Zumwalt home still stands. In 2015, a reconstructed fort opened to the public. The park also includes the historic Darius Heald home, which has been restored.
By Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated September 2026.
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