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7FAIRFIELD - FT. MADISON

DEFENDING THE many other crafts of the time that leave ar-
chaeological traces.
FORT

Recent efforts to raise awareness about
the historic importance of Fort Madison was,
in part, in response to news of its endanger-
ment from urban development.

A “Hold the Fort!” campaign, intended to
put pressure on the local political scene, suc-
cessfully received much-needed attention of
city officials and the new property owners of
the fort and its associated battlefield.

Recent archaeological investigations con-
firm that intact War-of-1812-era deposits are
represented west of the fort structure includ-
ing the battlefield and Black Hawk’s ravine.

As a cultural landscape it is an area that,
at least from 1808 thru most of 1813, saw in-
tensive usage by diverse populations including
various American Indian and U.S. military units
as well as both native and newcomer civilians
variously engaged in the trading, hunting and
game processing, farming, livestock raising,
structure building, and general pursuit of the

BONAPARTE, IOWA, AT A GLANCE

• The Bonaparte area, originally called Meek’s Mill,
was settled in 1836 by William Meek and Dr.
Roger Cresap.

• The townsite was founded and surveyed in 1841,
and the name was changed to Bonaparte. The
town was officially incorporated in 1899.

• Six sites in or near Bonaparte are listed on the
National Register of Historic Places: Aunty Green
Hotel, Bonaparte Historic Riverfront District,
Bonaparte Pottery Archaeological District,
Bonaparte School, Meek’s Flour Mill, and Des
Moines River Locks No. 5 and No. 7.