Fort Bridger
Fort Bridger | |
Location | Uinta County, Wyoming |
---|---|
Nearest city | Fort Bridger, Wyoming |
Coordinates | 41°19′4″N 110°23′31″W / 41.31778°N 110.39194°W |
NRHP reference No. | 69000197 |
Added to NRHP | 1969-04-16 |
Fort Bridger was originally a 19th-century
Bridger's Trading Post
The post was established by the mountain man Jim Bridger, after whom it is named, and Louis Vasquez.[1] In December 1843, Bridger wrote Pierre Chouteau Jr., "I have established a small fort, with a blacksmith shop and a supply of iron in the road of emigrants on Black Fork of Green River, which promises fairly." According to Stanley Vestal, "His fort consisted simply of an eight-foot stockade, with a corral adjoining on the north. Within that stockade stood four log cabins with flat dirt roofs. One of these housed Bridger's forge and carpenter's bench, another his store, the third his family and possibles, while the fourth was the home of his partner." On 19 October 1852, Mrs. Benjamin G. Ferris visited with her husband, and described the fort as "- a long, low, strongly-constructed log building, surrounded by a high wall of logs, stuck endwise in the ground." On 9 March 1854, Bridger filed a claim with the United States General Land Office, for the 3,800 acres (1,500 hectares) around the fort.[2]
In 1845, Lansford Hastings published a guide entitled The Emigrant's Guide to Oregon and California, which advised California emigrants to leave the Oregon Trail at Fort Bridger, pass through the Wasatch Range across the Great Salt Lake Desert (an 80-mile waterless drive), loop around the Ruby Mountains, and rejoin the California Trail about seven miles west of modern Elko, Nevada (now Emigrant Pass). The ill-fated Donner-Reed Party followed that route, along which they were met by a rider sent by Hastings to deliver letters to traveling emigrants. On July 12, the Donners and Reeds were given one of these letters,[5] in which among other messages, Hastings claimed to have "worked out a new and better road to California", and said he would be waiting at Fort Bridger to guide the emigrants along the new cutoff.[6]
Mormons and Fort Supply
On 7 July 1847, Orson Pratt was amongst the first party of Mormons to arrive at the fort. He described the fort as, "Bridger's post consists of two adjoining log houses, dirt roofs, and a small picket yard of logs set in the ground, and about eight feet high." Nine native lodges were located nearby.[3]
With the arrival of the
Andrew Jenson noted, "From 1853 to 1857, Fort Bridger was quite an important 'Mormon' outpost." Orson Hyde arrived at the fort on 13 November 1853, with 39 Mormon settlers. They established Fort Supply on Willow Creek, about 12 miles (19 km) southwest of Fort Bridger. Jenson goes on to state, "Fort Bridger and Fort Supply were deserted by the 'Mormons' in September, 1857, on the approach of Col. Johnston's army."[3]: 28–29
Military Post
On 18 November 1857, Bridger leased his surveyed land to the United States, though payment was withheld until Bridger could establish title. Colonel
: 18, 21–29Major William Hoffman commanded the army depot of Fort Bridger from 7 June 1858, until 17 August, when he was relieved by Brevet Lt. Col. Edward Canby. Elements of the Sixth and Tenth Infantry, and First Cavalry, erected storehouses and troop quarters. On 14 July 1859, orders established a military reservation at Fort Bridger amounting to 500 square miles (1,300 km2). Major Richard C. Gatlin took over command on 7 March 1860. Captain Alfred Cumming took command on 4 June 1860, followed by Captain Franklin Gardner on 7 August 1860. Captain Jesse Gove commanded from 29 May 1861 until 9 August, when the number of troops was reduced due to demands of the American Civil War. Captain M.G. Lewis took over command in December 1862, followed by Major Noyes Baldwin in 1865. Captain Anson Mills assumed command from November 1866 until August 1867.[3]: 30–36, 44
In 1858, William A. Carter was appointed as post
Chief
Lieutenant Colonel Henry Morrow was in command from 9 November 1867 until 17 April 1869. During this time, Fort Bridger troops helped guard construction of the
Preservation
The historical Fort Bridger has several interesting old buildings still standing: the old Pony Express barn and the Mormon protective wall.[4][13]: 117–119
On 27 June 1928, the site of the fort, and remaining buildings, were sold to the Historical Landmark Commission of Wyoming. Dedication ceremonies were held on 25 June 1933 establishing Fort Bridger as a Wyoming Historical Landmark and Museum. The Annual Fort Bridger Muzzle Loading Rendezvous is held every Labor Day weekend.[3]: 72–74 [13]
See also
References
- ^ Alter, J. Cecil (1962). Jim Bridger. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.
- ISBN 9780803257207.
- ^ ISBN 0943398045.
- ^ a b Godfrey, Anthony (August 1994). Pony Express National Historic Trail Historic Resource Study. National Park Service.
- ^ Johnson, pp. 6–7.
- JSTOR 967168.
- ^ "Fort Bridger, Wyoming State Historic Site". Legendsofamerica.com. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
- ^ Gowans, Fred R.; Campbell, Eugene E. (1976). Fort Supply: Brigham Young's Green River Experiment. Provo, UT: Brigham Young University.
- ^ "Fort Bridger Photos". Wyomingtalesandtrails.com. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
- ^ Ellison, R. S. (1931). Fort Bridger: A Brief History.
- ^ Connor, P.E. William Alexander and Mary E. Carter Papers. Utah State University. Special Collections. MSS 29. http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv50091
- ^ "About - Fort Bridger State Historic Site". Wyoming Division of State Parks and Historic Sites. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
- ^ ISBN 0842504206.
Further reading
- (1994) "Fort Bridger" article in the Utah History Encyclopedia. The article was written by Hope A. Hilton and Lynn M. Hilton and the Encyclopedia was published by the University of Utah Press. ISBN 9780874804256. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024 and retrieved on April 24, 2024.
External links
- Fort Bridger at the National Archives and Records Administration
- Fort Bridger page, Wyoming Department of State Parks and Historic Sites
- Fort Bridger info from the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office
- Fort Bridger - Legends of America information
- fortbridgerrendezvous.net - Additional information about the Fort Bridger Rendezvous.