Fort Atkinson in Winneshiek County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

North Barracks

A Soldier's Life

— Fort Atkinson State Preserve —

North Barracks Marker image. Click for full size.

August 17, 2017

1. North Barracks Marker

Inscription. To the right of the main gate is a two-story limestone building, one of the two barracks for enlisted men. The eastern portion of the building served as a hospital. The first floor had mess rooms for eating, a kitchen, and a commandant's office. The men of Company B of the 1st Dragoons lived on the second floor. The slept 12 to each room and 2 to a bed.

The central portion of the building was restored in 1958 and has been converted into a museum.

A soldier's military duties included patrolling the Neutral Ground and standing guard duty. The rest of their time was filled with jobs such as gardening, cutting firewood, caring for livestock, hauling water and supplies, butchering animals, and cutting ice.

Erected by Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.

Location. 43° 8.736′ N, 91° 56.363′ W. Marker is in Fort Atkinson, Iowa, in Winneshiek County. It can be reached from the intersection of 2nd Street and 8th Avenue, on the right when

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traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 2nd St, Fort Atkinson IA 52144, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northeast Iowa — the Driftless Area

and in Eastern Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Atkinson (a few steps from this marker); Constructing Fort Atkinson (a few steps from this marker); East Officers' Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Guard House (within shouting distance of this marker); South Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Stockade & Main Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); Sutler's Store and Post Commissary (within shouting distance of this marker); Powder House (within shouting distance of this marker).

Remains of the North Barracks image. Click for full size.

August 17, 2017

2. Remains of the North Barracks

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Atkinson.

Remains of the North Barracks, showing the reconstructed portion image. Click for full size.

August 17, 2017

3. Remains of the North Barracks, showing the reconstructed portion

Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2021. This page has been viewed 177 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 24, 2021. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.