Fort Bridger (Uinta County, Wyoming, Wyoming)
Uinta County, Wyoming · Wyoming · Utah War
History & Significance
Following the decline of the fur trade in the late 1830s, Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez established a small trading post in the valley of Black's Fork of the Green River. Erected in 1842 and open for business early in 1843, Bridger's intention was to establish trade with the friendly Indians in the neighborhood and with emigrants passing westward.
Because of its convenient location on the Overland Route, Fort Bridger became second in importance only to Fort Laramie as a resupply and outfitting point for travelers between the Missouri River and the Pacific Coast. When Mormon pioneers first arrived in July 1847, the fort consisted of two adjoining log houses with dirt roofs and a small picket yard about eight feet high.
With the arrival of Mormon settlers, disputes arose between Bridger and the new inhabitants; by 1853, a militia of Mormons was sent to arrest him for selling alcohol and firearms to Native Americans, a violation of Federal Law. In fall 1853, Mormons established Fort Supply nearby and took over Fort Bridger; upon the approach of Johnston's Army during the Utah War, the Mormons deserted and burned both forts.
In 1858, the US Army officially made Fort Bridger a military post and began a building program. In 1868, Chief Washakie signed the Fort Bridger Treaty at the fort on July 3, which ceded Shoshone and Bannock lands and created the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Ultimately, railroad expansion made the fort obsolete; it was first abandoned in 1878, re-established two years later, and finally closed in 1890 when Wyoming became a state. In 1928, the fort site and buildings were sold to the Wyoming Historical Landmark Commission; dedication ceremonies were held on June 25, 1933, establishing Fort Bridger as a Wyoming Historical Landmark and Museum.
Key Facts
Map
View larger map ↗ · © OpenStreetMap contributors
🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Historic trading post buildings from 1842 fur trade era
- Preserved Pony Express barn structure
- Reconstructed Mormon defensive wall
- Artifacts and exhibits on Oregon/California/Mormon trail emigration
- Green River setting in Uinta County landscape
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Bridger
- https://wyoshpo.wyo.gov/index.php/programs/national-register/wyoming-listings/view-full-list/897-fort-bridger
- https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/fort-bridger
- https://wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/cat-list-sphst/57-historic-sites/fort-bridger-state-historic-site/916-about-fort-bridger-state-historic-site-content
- https://uintacountywy.gov/1111/Historical-Fort-Bridger-Site