Fort Atkinson in Winneshiek County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Block House
Strong Defense
— Fort Atkinson State Preserve —
August 17, 2017
1. The Block House Marker
Inscription.
The Block House. Strong Defense. Although no battles were ever fought at Fort Atkinson, it was carefully planned and built to withstand an attack. Two block houses (southwest and northeast corners) which held the fort's four cannons projected out beyond the southwest and northeast corners of the stockade so that soldiers could shoot along the outside walls in two directions. The block house on the northeast corner was built specifically to defend the north and east stockade lines, the Military Road, and the outlying buildings to the north.
Notice that the rifle slits are wider on the inside than the outside. This allowed the soldiers to move to the right or left to take aim, while making it harder for someone to shoot in from the outside.
Fort Atkinson had two mountain howitzers and two "six pounder" cannons (a representative 1840s cannon to the left). The cannon portals are wider on the outside so that the cannon could be aimed over a broad area. The cannon openings had wooden covers that were closed while the cannon was being reloaded. The stone floor allowed the heavy cannons to be moved easily.
Although no battles were ever fought at Fort Atkinson, it was carefully planned and built to withstand an attack. Two block houses (southwest and northeast corners) which held the fort's four cannons projected out beyond the southwest and northeast corners of the stockade so that soldiers could shoot along the outside walls in two directions. The block house on the northeast corner was built specifically to defend the north and east stockade lines, the Military Road, and the outlying buildings to the north.
Notice that the rifle slits are wider on the inside than the outside. This allowed the soldiers to move to the right or left to take aim, while making it harder for someone to shoot in from the outside.
Fort Atkinson had two mountain howitzers and two "six pounder" cannons (a representative 1840s cannon to the left). The cannon portals are wider on the outside so that the cannon could be aimed over a broad area. The cannon openings had wooden covers that were closed while the cannon was being reloaded. The stone floor allowed the heavy cannons to be moved easily.
Erected by Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.
Location. 43° 8.711′
Click or scan to see this page online
N, 91° 56.424′ 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2021. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 24, 2021. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
