History of Fort Whoop-Up

The first fort had been destroyed by fire. The new fort was larger and sturdier, built from square cottonwood logs in a form of a hollow square. Buildings comprised three sides and a palisade with two opposing bastions providing protection. The long buildings were divided into rooms for use as dwellings, kitchen, stores, trade room, magazine or powder room, workshop and blacksmith’s forge. The entire enterprise of building and inventory was reputed to have cost $10,000.  The manager of the Fort had his own room,  private kitchen and adjacent stable Unlike his men, the manager lived in relative comfort with personal belongings including  a fancy bed, desk and other furnishings shipped from Benton.