September 15, 2022
Fort Bridger was one of the forts on the emigrant trails so, of course, I wanted to see it.
“Jim Bridger established Fort Bridger in 1843 as a fur trading post. It was composed of two double-log houses about 40 feet long that were joined by a pen for horses. The fort soon became a vital resupply point for wagon trains on the Oregon, California, and Mormon trails and expanded in size. In 1857, during the Utah War, Mormons set fire to the fort to prevent the U.S. Army from using it. However, the army rebuilt the fort a year later and used it as a military post until 1890. In the 1860s, it also served as a Pony Express station.
Today's Fort Bridger State Park contains 37 acres of grounds, 27 historic structures, and four historic replica structures. The park offers self-guided tours of the fort, living history demonstrations, open archeological excavations, museum exhibits, and a civilian cemetery. “
More information can be found here:
https://wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/places-to-go/fort-bridger
http://www.wyomingtalesandtrails.com/bridger.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Bridger
Jim Bridger:
We started our tour at the museum. It was built as an infantry barracks and then used as a milk barn.
This wheel represents all the uses of this property thru out time – from Mountain Men to Mormon to Military and now Museum.
We first watched a video on the history of the Fort and then explored the museum.
A few interesting items from the museum:
Love the hat!
I would love to have a copy of this map.
They had a huge light board and a separate board with all the trails. Pressing any button showed the trail – start to finish – it was cool.
Interesting:
After the museum and talking with the ranger, we headed out to see the buildings. Some were open and some were not.
The buildings were a collection of different eras, from the mountain men thru to the military who were the last to occupy the fort.
Replica of the original trading post. Beside the trading post, there was a blacksmith shop and a sleeping area.
When the Mormons took over the fort, they built a wall around it. This is part of that original wall (not a replica):
One of the original fireplugs put in by the military:
Looking across the parade grounds at the 1887 Guard House:
Goshen Creek – it was overflowing:
The Commanding Officer’s Quarters 1884-1890:
We were able to go inside and look into the rooms – nice.
Family Cemetery:
The 1858 Officer’s Quarters:
Part of Carter’s Trading Post area:
The inside of the Pony Express Stables:
The Ice House – filled from the top:
Judge Carter also started the first school house in Wyoming:
We have seen monuments similar to this to mark the different trails:
Military Road Marker:
Pony Express Marker:
Lincoln Highway Marker:
As the Lincoln Highway developed, many hotels and cabins sprung up. These are replicas of the cabins that were once located here:
Inside of one of the cabins – bathrooms were out back:
What a great tour!
Since it was early and a nice day, we decided to take a little ride around the area and look what we found – a Buffalo Farm.
Aren’t they cute?
What a nice day!
We love the road but sometimes we get exhausted and then do not feel like seeing things/places or just rush thru them. Going thru Fort Bridger today, we at that point. So we are staying here one more day to rest and get caught up with some things around the motorhome.
And that is just what we did on September 16!
One of our visitors from the farm next door.
I did have a bit of good news. Escapees has a group called DaysEnd which gathers information on low cost and free camping areas. I have been contributing since 2009 and today I received an email that I have contributed enough to be a lifetime member. I am excited. We have found so many neat little places with that directory.
Tomorrow we head to Idaho to spend time with my friend Sue.
Stay tuned and enjoy today.
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