FORT CALHOUN, Neb. (WOWT) - Fort Atkinson, the earliest U.S. Military post west of the Missouri River, was established in 1820 after the site was recommended by members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

“Nebraska became a state in 1867, so just 40 years basically after the fort was here,” Jason Grof at the Fort Atkinson State Historical Park said.

“The main purpose of the fort was to protect the fur trade. So, the fort was here from 1820 to 1827. You have to remember what was going on in history during that time period. The Louisiana Purchase was just signed, so we were expanding westward. The Canadians and the British were still in the area, and they still had a lot of influence over the fur trade.”

The fort was the only government authority west of the Missouri, and was a major mil

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