Fort Union Trading Post Historic Structures Report (Part II) Historical Data Section

For want of a better name, a tall tower, built in the 1850's at Fort Union, is herein referred to as the "new" tower. When Kurz did his sketches, 1851-52, there was still a flag staff and, apparently, no tower. One year later, Stanley's sketch shows the tall rectangular tower in the southwest quarter of the post with the flag flying from it. There is now no flag staff.

Wimar (1858) shows the new tower. In Hays' 1860 sketches one cannot see the tower because of the southwest bastion; however, the flag may be seen flying from the approximate position. The Soldier sketch (1864) has the tower showing. The Bedticking sketch shows it as having windows on two of the upper floors of the north side.

The 1866 photograph, which must be considered accurate, shows a considerably lower tower, having one window on the north side that is above the level of the palisades. The staff on top has cross arms similar to those that were on the former flag staff.