In Fort Winnebago, a trading post had been established at the portage for a number of years prior to the Winnebago Indian uprising. It has long been recognized that the portage was the most important key to the control of the Winnebago's and steps were taken accordingly. In 1828, ground was broken for the construction of a military fort. The pine logs used for construction were floated down the Wisconsin River to Portage and were hauled out by teams to the building places. The fort was completed in the spring of 1830. Troops occupied the fort until 1845 at which time they were sent to Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis. In March 1856, fire destroyed or seriously damaged most of the buildings which were then occupied by private families. To date the Surgeon's Quarters still remains standing as does the Agency House on the bank of the Portage Canal.
In 1848, Johnathan Whitney was considered to be the first permanent settler in the Town of Fort Winnebago. At that time, the Town name was Town of Port Hope and sometime in 1853 the name was changed to the Town of Fort Winnebago.
In 1850 through 1859 there were seven one room schools throughout Fort Winnebago. In the early 1960's all district (schools) in Fort Winnebago consolidated and became one. In 1962 state law required that all schools become part of a high school and Fort Winnebago joined the Portage School system.
The first town board meeting was held in 1850 in the home of Avery Spicer. The purpose of the meeting was to elect an officer and a location of the county seat.