Wisconsin is home to many historic forts, all with amazing histories. This blog post discusses five of these forts: Fort Crawford, Fort Howard, Fort McCoy, Fort Shelby/Fort McKay, and Fort Winnebago.
Each fort has a unique story that should be explored.
Additionally, four of the five forts are open to the public for tours! If you’re interested in history (or just want to explore some fantastic buildings), then be sure to check out these five Wisconsin forts.
5 Historic Forts of Wisconsin
Wisconsin is home to many historic forts. Here are five of the most amazing:
- Fort Crawford
- Fort Howard
- Fort McCoy
- Fort Shelby/Fort McKay
- Fort Winnebago
Each of these forts has a unique and incredible history. Read on to learn more about each and find out which ones you can visit today.
1. Fort Crawford
The first Fort Crawford was built in 1816 in what is now Prairie de Cheun, Wisconsin. The fort was built by the U.S. Army to protect Prairie de Cheun from future invasions by the British from Canada.
Fort Crawford was built over the area where the old Fort McKay once stood. The British burned Fort McKay down in 1815 when they retreated from the Prairie de Cheun area.
First Fort Crawford
This first Fort Crawford quickly deteriorated, with the wood rotting from the many floods in the area. The U.S. Army eventually abandoned it, and in 1828, the army decided to rebuild Fort Crawford on higher ground.
Second Fort Crawford
The second Fort Crawford was built on a hill on the eastern side of the Mississippi River. This time they used limestone instead of wood in hopes to keep the fort water resistant. Construction of the second fort started in 1829 and was finished in 1835. The fort took this long because of Federal funding issues and it was more difficult to get limestone for the building materials than it was to use wood.
It’s important to note that Indian Chief Black Hawk surrendered at Fort Crawford to the future President of the United States, Zachary Taylor.
After the Ho-Chunk people were relocated, the fort was abandoned in 1849 but reopened in 1855 when there were rumors that the Native Americans in the area were going to rise.
This never occurred, and Fort Crawford was finally abandoned on June 9, 1856. During the Civil War, parts of the fort were used as a hospital for Union troops.
The Daughters of the American Revolution rebuilt the hospital at Fort Crawford in 1931.
They also cleaned up other areas of the fort to make way for new buildings. The rebuilt hospital is now a medical history museum owned by the Prairie de Cheun Historical Society.
The Fort Crawford Museum is open from May through October. There are three buildings that you can tour, plus a military cemetery.
Fort Crawford Museum Information
2. Fort Howard
Fort Howard like Fort Crawford was built during the War of 1812. It was built on the West side of the Fox River in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It was used to protect the waterways of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers.
These waters were an important route to many travelers and traders going from Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River and the British threatened these important trade routes.
When malaria struck in 1820, the troops stationed there were moved to Camp Smith, higher up on the east side of the Fox River.
In 1822, troops were recommissioned to Fort Howard until 1841, when the fort was again abandoned. Finally, in 1853, the fort was decommissioned.
Years later so, while most of the buildings were in ruins, a few were moved to Camp Smith, including a hospital, officers’ quarters, hospital ward, guardhouse, school, and kitchen.
These buildings were reconstructed and now are part of the Heritage Hill Historical Park.
Visitor Information Heritage Hill Historical Park
4. Fort Shelby/ Fort McKay
Fort Shelby was in Prairie du Chien in 1814 by the U.S. Army. It was named after Isaac Shelby, a former Revolutionary soldier and Governor of Kentucky. Fort Shelby was in U.S. hands for only a year when the British took control of it.
The British decided to rename the fort Fort McKay after Major William McKay, who was commander in charge during the battle for the fort.
Soon after, in 1815, the British destroyed Fort McKay before leaving. A year later, in 1816, the U.S. Army built Fort Crawford on the site.
5. Fort Winnebago
Fort Winnebago was an important military outpost during the Black Hawk War, Mexican-American War, and American Civil War. The fort, located in Portage, Wisconsin, was built in 1828 by the U.S. Army and named after a band of Potawatomi Indians called the Winnebago Tribe.
The fort was meant to protect American settlers from Native American tribes and the British, who were still present in Canada.
Fort Winnebago was one of three U.S. forts in the area that helped protect travelers and important supply routes of the Fox River, Wisconsin River, Mississippi River, and the Great Lakes.
Fort Winnebago was abandoned in 1845, once there was no real threat of hostilities. The fort was sold to a private party, and in 1856, most of it was burned in a fire.
The only buildings that remain today are the restored surgeon’s and officers’ quarters and a single-room schoolhouse called Garrison Scholl. Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters is now a museum, and you can also view the Garrison School, which has been restored to look like it did in the 1850s.
Fort Winnebago Visitor Information
Conclusion – Historic Forts of Wisconsin
Well, there you have it—five historic forts of Wisconsin. Four of these forts are open for visitors to explore the history behind them in depth. I hope you enjoyed this article.
If you have visited any of these forts, I would love to hear from you in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
Cory is a website owner and content creator who enjoys fishing, history, coin collecting, and sports, among other hobbies. He is a husband and father of four.
Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.