At the same time Adam Lemp was founding his brewery in St. Louis, the US government was busy in Iowa removing Native Americans from their homelands and forcing them to live in new territory.

Fort Atkinson was built in 1840 to supervise the government’s efforts as different Native American nations who were oftentimes traditional enemies.

The fort was only active until 1855 when it was sold off at auction and the town was platted on its grounds.

It was acquired by the State of Iowa in 1921.

Nearby is a church, built from the same limestone lying in ruins.

A small cemetery lies nearby.