Fort Washakie (Fort Washakie, Wyoming, Wyoming)
Fort Washakie, Wyoming · Wyoming · Indian Wars
History & Significance
The Shoshone or Wind River Reservation was established by the treaty concluded at Fort Bridger on July 3, 1868, and on June 28, 1869, an order was issued for the establishment of a garrison at some point upon the reservation. A site was selected near the junction of Trouth Creek and the Little Wind River and a post was established under the name of Camp Augur, in honor of Gen C. C. Augur, one of the officers who had negotiated the treaty the year before.
On March 28, 1870, the name was changed to Camp Brown and on December 30, 1878, it was changed to Fort Washakie, in honor of Chief Washakie of the Shoshone tribe. The fort's relocation and administrative transitions reflected the military's role in managing the newly created reservation and protecting the Shoshone from hostile neighbors.
Fort Washakie served as a base for launching military campaigns against the Plains Indians during the 1870s, and Shoshone Indians served as scouts in several of the campaigns, including the Battle of the Rosebud in 1876, and against Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce in 1877. Troops were stationed at Fort Washakie until 1909, and in 1913, it was transferred to the Shoshone. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the reservation continues to utilize some of the buildings today.
Key Facts
Map
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🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Army outpost from 1869 with original buildings and structures
- Graves of Chief Washakie and Sacajawea on the grounds
- Museum exhibits on Indian Wars era history and Shoshone heritage
- Located within Wind River Indian Reservation
- One of few U.S. forts named after a Native American leader
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Washakie
- https://wyominggenealogy.com/fremont/history-of-fort-washakie.htm
- https://www.legendsofamerica.com/fort-washakie/
- https://www.loc.gov/item/wy0241/
- https://county10.com/lookback-ft-washakie-camp-brown-camp-auger/
- https://www.wyo.gov/about-wyoming/wyoming-history