Ft Atkinson

Greetings to the Fort 

Fort Atkinson

The first army fort west of the Missouri River that was established to protect the fur trade and combat the influence of the British forces.

The location was recommended by Lewis and Clark.

Clark wrote that "The Situation of this place whch we call Council Bluff is a handsom ellevated Spot well Calculated for a fort to

Command the Countrey and river above the high water

and situated to trade with the natives"

A huge fort (200 yards square)

"situated well above the high water"

The Missouri River at this location would have been anywhere from

 3 to 10 miles wide and very shallow.

Today the river is 3 miles away.

1804

Today, this is a replica of the blacksmith shop.

The Powder Magazine is in the middle of the complex.

A huge setup to protect the fur trade.  

Too bad it only lasted 9 years.

(perhaps the fur trade had lost importance by then.

Both time lines had to deal with the 'bad guys'

Anywhere from Deserter to Salt Fish Thief to Whiskey Thief to falling asleep on guard duty.

Lewis and Clark were particularly rough on these crimes.

Often the punishment would be 100 "well laid on lashes"

and then have to continue on hauling (by hand) the keelboat upstream.

OUCH!

The Cat-O-Nine-Tails

looks particularly bad.

Inside the Visitor Center is a familiar looking large orange and white cat-

I have no idea if they populate this area of tall grass plains.

Only a few flowers are starting to bloom now.

I think this is a Prairie Rose.