Montrose in Lee County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The First Fort Des Moines

Photographed By Benjamin M. Snyder, April 25, 2015

1. The First Fort Des Moines Marker

Inscription. This barracks well marks the first Fort Desmoines and was used by a detachment of Dragoons stationed here Sept 25-1834 to June 18-1837

Erected 1923 by Montrose Womans Civic Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1843.

Location. 40° 31.95′ N, 91° 24.817′ W. Marker is in Montrose, Iowa, in Lee County. Marker is on Main Street (State Highway 404), on the right when traveling east. Marker is located atop a concrete barracks well under the U.S. Flag. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Montrose IA 52639, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fort Des Moines, 1834-1837 (within shouting distance of this marker); Latter-day Saint Exodus from Nauvoo, 1849 (within shouting distance of this marker); Here Began the Dragoon Trail (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Orchard In Iowa (approx. 0.3 miles away); Into the Unknown (approx. one mile away in Illinois); Eyes Westward (approx. one mile away in Illinois); Exodus to Greatness (approx. one mile away in Illinois); Aquatic Life of Mississippi River Pool 19 (approx. one mile away in Illinois). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montrose.

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this marker. Marker is located at the south end of Riverview Park on the east end of town next to the Mississippi River.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Iowa History Project. On The Trails of the Dragoons (Submitted on May 4, 2015, by Benjamin M. Snyder of Ankeny, Iowa.)

2. Fortwiki Fort Des Moines. This link describes history of the 1st Fort Des Moines (Submitted on June 2, 2015, by Benjamin M. Snyder of Ankeny, Iowa.)

3. Montrose, IA - Wikipedia. This page includes "Robert E. Lee map of the head of the Des Moines Rapids, 1837, showing Fort Des Moines No. 1, later Montrose, Iowa." (Submitted on June 2, 2015, by Benjamin M. Snyder of Ankeny, Iowa.)

Photographed By Benjamin M. Snyder, April 25, 2015

2. The First Fort Des Moines Marker

Photographed By Benjamin M. Snyder, April 25, 2015

3. The First Fort Des Moines Marker

Photographed By Benjamin M. Snyder, April 25, 2015

4. The First Fort Des Moines Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2015, by Benjamin M. Snyder of Ankeny, Iowa. This page has been viewed 664 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on September 19, 2019, by Benjamin M. Snyder of Ankeny, Iowa. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 29, 2015, by Benjamin M. Snyder of Ankeny, Iowa. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.