Fort Atkinson in Winneshiek County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Powder House
Precious Cargo
— Fort Atkinson State Preserve —
August 17, 2017
1. Powder House Marker
Inscription.
Powder House. Precious Cargo. The sturdy structure in the southeast corner of the fort was used to store gun powder and ammunition. These materials were very dangerous so the building has double walls and a vaulted stone roof which were designed to contain an explosion in case of an accident. The double walls have air vents in order to keep the interior from overheating. However, the vents on the inside walls do not line up with the vents on the outside walls in order to prevent rain and stray sparks from being drawn into the building--damaging the powder or causing an explosion.
The sturdy structure in the southeast corner of the fort was used to store gun powder and ammunition. These materials were very dangerous so the building has double walls and a vaulted stone roof which were designed to contain an explosion in case of an accident. The double walls have air vents in order to keep the interior from overheating. However, the vents on the inside walls do not line up with the vents on the outside walls in order to prevent rain and stray sparks from being drawn into the building--damaging the powder or causing an explosion.
Erected by Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.
Location. 43° 8.705′ N, 91° 56.331′ W. Marker is in Fort Atkinson, Iowa, in Winneshiek County. Marker can be reached from 2nd Street east of 8th Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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 95 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2021. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
