Fort Atkinson, Nebraska

Following Fort Atkinson's at abandonment in 1827, its structures quickly disappeared. Buildings apparently burned, and bye the time of Swiss artist Karl Bodmer's visit in 1833, the fort was in ruins. There is no evidence that the site was occupied again, except sporadically by Indians, until the 1840's; in 1847 then Mormons established their summer quarters north of the fort site, and they salvaged bricks to use in their own buildings.

By the 1850's, settlers entering the region apparently also exploited the brick and stone remains. In thee summer of 1854, the townsite of Calhoun (named for Secretary of War John C. Calhoun, and apparently given the "Fort" title to recall the nearby long abandoned post) was claimed. Materials from the fort were incorporated into the buildings of the fledgling town.

A farmyard established at about that time was located on the former south barracks line of the fort, and the ground itself was plowed, spring after spring, for more than a hundred years. Little wonder, then, that few traces of the fort remained.

Beginnings in 1956, however, eight seasons of excavation under the direction of personnel of the Nebraska State Historical Socity have greatly enlarged our knowledge of the appearance and location of fort buildings and significantly increased our understanding of day-to-day life at this early 19th century wilderness fort. A detailed record of the excavations which took place in the years 1956-1971 can be found in Nebraska State Historical Society Publications in Anthropology, No.8, Archaeological Investigations At Fort Atkinson, by Gayle (Lincoln, 1979).

The most recent excavations which took place during the summer of 1985 were, like those that preceded them, conducted for multiple purposes. In order to accurately reconstruct fort features, it is important that precise locations and measurements of the originals be known, and the archaeological investigations were the surest method for discovering these details. Contemporary descriptions are sketchy, and only one drawing, a partial rendering of the barracks drawn by Lt. Andrew Talcott, provides significant details; without confirmation from archaeological investigations it could never be known with certainty whether this drawing was a proposal, a partially adhered-to plan, or an accurate rendering of existing structures.

The locations of many structures remain unknown, and before construction of roads, visitor facilities and the like, it is important to be sure no historically significant traces will be disturbed or obliterated.

Very little is known even about important buildings. The council house was known to be a sizable structure, 20 by 56 feet, and containing two fire places. Although it had been sketchily described and its location had been tentatively established, it was not until stone foundation piers and hearth were located that investigators could be certain of its orientation - "We weren't even sure which was the long way," says Carlson. In addition, features such as window locations can be inferred from concentrations of window glass unearthed at the site, and the locations and sizes of nails can suggest construction details and the finish work in a building.

Finally, salvaged material continues to make it possible to understand more and more about Fort Atkinson life. Tools, uniform details, housewares, and even rubbish, all reveal details. Thus, as reconstruction continues, archaeological crews will continue their digging on "The Elysian Fields of the Sixth."