Near Portage in Columbia County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Fort Winnebago

Photographed by Keith L, September 2, 2007

1. Fort Winnebago Marker

Inscription. In the autumn of 1828 a permanent fort was built on this site by the First Regiment of the United States Infantry under the command of Maj. David E. Twiggs, later a general in the Confederate Army. The fort was constructed primarily to control the important Fox-Wisconsin portage and to protect American traders from interference by the Winnebago Indians. Lieut. Jefferson Davis, later president of the Confederacy, served here after graduating from West Point. The fort was garrisoned until 1845 and was destroyed by fire in 1856. The only remaining portion is the restored Surgeon’s Quarters on the hill across the highway. Not far from here (entrance road a half mile west on this highway) is the fully restored Indian Agency House, built in 1832 by the Government for Indian Agent John Kinzie and his bride, Juliette. Mrs. Kinzie’s book “Wau-Bun” contains many interesting episodes of life at Fort Winnebago and in the surrounding community.

Erected 1957 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 61.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities

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• Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1828.

Location. 43° 33.294′ N, 89° 26.061′ W. Marker is near Portage, Wisconsin, in Columbia County. It is on State Highway 33 0.2 miles west of County Highway F, on the left when traveling east. Marker is at a wayside next to the Fox River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portage WI 53901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Madison.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

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 Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Marquette (a few steps from this marker); Site of Fort Winnebago (a few steps from this marker); Fort Winnebago Surgeons' Quarters (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Indian Agency House at Fort Winnebago (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Indian Agency House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Revolutionary War Veteran (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ketchum’s Point (approx. one mile away); Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portage.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Historic Indian Agency House (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .

Photographed by Keith L, September 2, 2007

2. Fort Winnebago Marker

1. Fort Winnebago. "The fort's location was chosen not only because of its proximity to the site of Red Bird's surrender in the Winnebago War, but also because of the strategic importance of Portage, Wisconsin, which, as the city's name implies, was the site of an important portage on the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway, a highly travelled connection between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River." (Submitted on September 8, 2007, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.)

2. Wau-Bun Table of Contents. (Submitted on September 8, 2007, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.)

Surgeons Quarters image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, September 2, 2007

3. Surgeons Quarters

Old Indian Agency House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, September 2, 2007

4. Old Indian Agency House

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2007, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 3,903 times since then and 126 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 8, 2007, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.