Green Bay in Brown County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Fort Howard Story
Green Bay's Fort Howard,
— Fox River Trail —
as well as Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien, was built following the War of 1812 to establish a U.S. presence in the Wisconsin territory and strategically cut off British access to trade routes. The forts were also used to construct Wisconsin's military roads and to negotiate treaties with the American Indian populations.
Augustin Grignon guided U.S. troops down through the Great Lakes and into the Bay in 1816 to the location where Fort Howard was to be built, directly across the river from here. Menominee Chief Tomah made peace between the pro-British American residents and the U.S. troops so that construction of the fort could begin.
The fort stood for many years as a protector and social center for the area residents. But while the troops were there to manage and protect the waterways, many felt no one group should control there use. John Penn Arndt, a well-respected local merchant, built a ferry for his customers to cross the river from his inn on the east side to the fort on the west side. In doing this, he sparked a court battle that forever changed policy and opened the waterways to all.
Perhaps the most famous resident of Fort Howard was Zachory Taylor, who served as an early commander of the fort. Taylor later became the twelfth U.S. President (1848-50).
Fort Howard was briefly abandoned in 1820, rebuilt in the 1830's, and then abandoned again in 1840, when the garrison was sent to fight the Seminole Wars in Florida. In 1852, the fort was decommissioned, though it reopened for a short time in 1863 as an enlistment center for Civil War soldiers.
Original 1830's Fort Howard buildings that can now be seen at Heritage Hill State Historical Park are the Fort Howard Hospital and a structure being used as the Company Kitchen I and Orderly Room.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.
Location. 44° 31.098′ N, 88° 0.844′ W. Marker is in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in Brown County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 141) and North Washington Street. Located on the Fox River Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Green Bay WI 54301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Historic Green Bay Road (a few steps from this marker); Downtown Green Bay (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Howard Stockade (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Port of Today (approx. 0.2 miles away); Zachary Taylor (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hotel Northland (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alexis De Tocqueville (approx. 0.2 miles away); Packers Heritage Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Green Bay.
More about this marker. On the right is a photo of the "Ft. Howard Hospital built in 1836"
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Fox River Trail. (Submitted on June 27, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2011, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,650 times since then and 95 times this year. Last updated on June 27, 2011, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on June 24, 2011, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.