Fort Caspar (Casper, Wyoming)
Casper · Wyoming · Indian Wars
History & Significance
The U.S. Army established its first presence in the area in 1855, erecting Fort Clay near Richard's trading post. In 1859, Louis Guinard built a competing bridge and trading post called the Platte Bridge Station at the site of the old Mormon Ferry crossing.
In response to increasing friction with the Lakota and Cheyenne, and partly to protect the new telegraph line, the Army began increasing its presence in 1861 by sending a detachment to guard Guinard's bridge. Many of these troops, who created a series of "stations" along the Oregon Trail, were from various state units raised during the Civil War.
In 1862 the Army used the buildings at Platte Bridge Station while building and occupying Fort Caspar. In 1865, following the Sand Creek Massacre in Colorado Territory, a force of Cheyenne led by Roman Nose and Lakota Oglala Sioux led by Red Cloud attacked an army unit that had left the fort to escort a small, incoming supply train.
During the conflicts that day, 26 soldiers, including Lieutenant Caspar Collins, were killed and nine or ten wounded. The Army officially renamed the post Fort Caspar to honor Collins.
The fort was abandoned two years later in August 1867, with the garrison moved to Fort Fetterman. In 1936, the fort buildings were reconstructed by local workers hired with funds from the federal Works Progress Administration.
Key Facts
Map
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🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Reconstructed log military buildings showing 1860s frontier fort layout
- Battle of Platte Bridge Station history and Caspar Collins' role
- Recreation of historic Mormon ferry that served emigrants
- North Platte River setting and emigrant trail context
- Indian Wars era artifacts and interpretation
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Caspar
- https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/fort-caspar
- https://www.nps.gov/places/fort-caspar.htm
- https://www.casperwy.gov/explore/fort_caspar_museum/history.php
- https://wyoshpo.wyo.gov/index.php/programs/national-register/wyoming-listings/view-full-list/692-fort-caspar
- https://www.loc.gov/resource/highsm.34099/