Sutler's Store and Post Commissary
— Fort Atkinson State Preserve —
Supply and Demand
The Sutler's Store was not government property. It was build and owned by H. M. Rice. Here, soldiers could purchase miscellaneous personal items such as clay pipes, tobacco, and combs. To haul all his goods, the sutler kept a small stable outside the fort for his team of horses and wagon.
Fort Atkinson was under Second Fort Crawford in Prairie du Chien a 2-day ride away. This was the primary source for provisional supplies.
Outfitting a Company
The walls of the Post Commissary formed the northwest corner of the stockade. The Commissary is where the official military equipment, tools, non-perishable food, and other supplies were stored. These materials were hauled by wagons from as far away as St. Louis, and often were delayed during the winter. As a result, the Commissary had to hold enough supplies to last many months.
Photo captions:
Clay pipe recovered from the property which could have been sold in the Sutler's Store.
Military-issued button stored in the Post Commissary and recovered on the property.
Erected by Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Forts and Castles
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Location. 43° 8.737′ N, 91° 56.409′ W. Marker is in Fort Atkinson, Iowa, in Winneshiek County. Marker can be reached from 2nd Street west of 8th Avenue, on the left when traveling west. 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Guard House (a few steps from this marker); The Block House (within shouting distance of this marker); North Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); South Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Atkinson (within shouting distance of this marker); Constructing Fort Atkinson (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); East Officers' Quarters (about 300 feet away); Stockade & Main Gate (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Atkinson.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2021. This page has been viewed 87 times since then and 7 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on May 24, 2021. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
