Military Road
The entrance to a section of the old Military Road can be traversed just behind the BP gas station across the street from FWSQ. Military Road was financed by Congressional action in 1832 and built by the US Army between 1835 and 1857. Remains of the road still in existence are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Military Road connected three forts: Fort Howard in Green Bay, Fort Winnebago here in Portage, and Fort Crawford near present-day Prairie du Chien. It started at Fort Howard and extended southward along the eastern shore of Lake Winnebago toward Fort Winnebago, and from there carried on southwest to Fort Crawford. Troops at Fort Winnebago constructed the section of the road between Poynette and Fond du Lac.
In the 1973 book The History of Wisconsin the road is described as "little more than a lane through the timber and a pathway over the prairie; with streams bridged and swamps ditched, the road was crude and often impassable, but it nevertheless filled the important objective of a way to communicate and transport supplies and men when the river system was frozen from east to west in the Wisconsin Territory." The cost of the initial construction of the 234-mile road was $12,000.
Military Road connected three forts: Fort Howard in Green Bay, Fort Winnebago here in Portage, and Fort Crawford near present-day Prairie du Chien. It started at Fort Howard and extended southward along the eastern shore of Lake Winnebago toward Fort Winnebago, and from there carried on southwest to Fort Crawford. Troops at Fort Winnebago constructed the section of the road between Poynette and Fond du Lac.
In the 1973 book The History of Wisconsin the road is described as "little more than a lane through the timber and a pathway over the prairie; with streams bridged and swamps ditched, the road was crude and often impassable, but it nevertheless filled the important objective of a way to communicate and transport supplies and men when the river system was frozen from east to west in the Wisconsin Territory." The cost of the initial construction of the 234-mile road was $12,000.
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Old Fort Winnebago Cemetery
Old Fort Winnebago Cemetery is located near FWSQ at N7620 County Road EE to the east of where County Road EE intersects with State Highway 33 in Portage, Wisconsin. It is a National Cemetery and the final resting place of patriots from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, and other military conflicts.
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Historic Indian Agency House
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Another historic property definitely worth visiting when you are in the Portage area is the Historic Indian Agency House at 1490 Agency House Road in Portage, Wisconsin. This Federal-style house is one of the oldest in Wisconsin and is outfitted with many period furnishing and artifacts. The house was built by the US government for John Kinzie, Indian Agent to the Ho-Chunk Nation (Winnebago), in 1832.
The Historic Indian Agency House was restored by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in 1932. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. We are fortunate to be able to partner with the Historic Indian Agency House; their staff coordinates group tours of FWSQ. Read more about the Historic Indian Agency House at their website here. They, too, offer a variety of special events throughout the summer and fall months for you to enjoy. |
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History in the Heart of WisconsinWe welcome hundreds of history buffs, like you!, each year to FWSQ. Bring the family and come discover, explore, and learn. We look forward to seeing you soon! Plan your visit here. |
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