Fort Bridger - Wyoming Ghost Town

FORT BRIDGER

NAME: Fort Bridger
COUNTY: Uinta
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 7
CLIMATE: Arid.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime.

COMMENTS:Located along us 30 and interstate 80 between evanston and lyman.A museum/picnic areas--mountain men rendevous on labor day weekend.
REMAINS: A few historic buildings (restored) including a museum
.
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Established in 1843 by Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez, Fort Bridger was one of the most important stops on the Oregon Trail. In 1855 the fort was purchased by Mormons who were the ones using the trail the most at the time. Shortly, the Mormans conflicted with the United States government and the fort and what buildings were not burned were taken over by U.S. troops. Many buildings were built during the army occupation of the site and many of those still stand today. Built in 1842 by famous mountain man Jim Bridger. Used as a trading post, and a stop for outfitting emigrants along the overland route. Trouble with the Mormons in 1857 resulted in the burning of the fort. It was rebuilt in 1858 and then become a military post to help control Indian depradations. During the 1860's it became a stage stop for the Pony Express and Overland Stage routes. Today a number of original buildings from 1858 through 1890 are still standing. Many have been restored and are open to the public, including a museum and the first school house in Wyoming. Submitted by Laurie Strauss. Guard house and Centry Courtesy Dolores Steele Commisory Courtesy Dolores Steele Barricks Courtesy Dolores Steele Trading Post Courtesy Dolores Steele Trading Post Courtesy Dolores Steele Home Courtesy Dolores Steele Goodrick house Courtesy Dolores Steele	Post - Traders Store -- Erected in1867, the Commissary provided soldiers with the necessary food, candles, stationery, pens, etc. for successful operation. Authorized civilians could be supp;ied. By 1884, a new Commissary had been built and this structure's days as a Commissary Storehouse were over. Courtesy Dolores Steele Milkhouse and School Courtesy Dolores Steele Icehouse Courtesy Dolores Steele Bear trap -- 1900 Courtesy Dolores Steele Wash House Courtesy Dolores Steele Peeping through the washhouse window Courtesy Dolores Steele Pony Express stables -- 1860 - 1861 Courtesy Dolores Steele Stables Courtesy Dolores Steele Ruins -- Old foundation of Morman Wall Courtesy Dolores Steele Grave of "Thornburgh" the dog ---- Named after Major T. T. Thornburgh who was killed in a fight with Ute Indians near the White River Agency, September 29, 1879. The dog was a surviver of a wagon train burned during the battle and grew up as a military camp follower. Eventually he ended up at Fort Bridger. On several occasions Thornburgh distinguished himself by his heroic deeds including catching a commissary thief, warning a sentinel of marauding Indians, saving the life of a soldier in a knife fight and rescuing a small boy from drowing. At Fort Bridger, Thornburg became the devoted companion of a freighter, "Buck" Buchanan, and the favorite of many who frequented the Post. Thornnburgh died September 27, 1888 as the result of being kicked by one of Buckanan's mules/ Courtesy Dolores Steele

Established in 1843 by Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez, Fort Bridger was one of the most important stops on the Oregon Trail. In 1855 the fort was purchased by Mormons who were the ones using the trail the most at the time. Shortly, the Mormans conflicted with the United States government and the fort and what buildings were not burned were taken over by U.S. troops. Many buildings were built during the army occupation of the site and many of those still stand today.

Built in 1842 by famous mountain man Jim Bridger. Used as a trading post, and a stop for outfitting emigrants along the overland route. Trouble with the Mormons in 1857 resulted in the burning of the fort. It was rebuilt in 1858 and then become a military post to help control Indian depradations. During the 1860's it became a stage stop for the Pony Express and Overland Stage routes. Today a number of original buildings from 1858 through 1890 are still standing. Many have been restored and are open to the public, including a museum and the first school house in Wyoming. Submitted by Laurie Strauss.

Guard house and Centry
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Commisory
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Barricks
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Trading Post
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Home
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Goodrick house
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Post - Traders Store -- Erected in1867, the Commissary provided soldiers with the necessary food, candles, stationery, pens, etc. for successful operation. Authorized civilians could be supp;ied. By 1884, a new Commissary had been built and this structure's days as a Commissary Storehouse
were over.
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Milkhouse and School
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Icehouse
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Bear trap -- 1900
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Wash House
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Peeping through the washhouse window
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Pony Express stables -- 1860 - 1861
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Stables
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Ruins -- Old foundation of Morman Wall
Courtesy Dolores Steele

Grave of "Thornburgh" the dog ---- Named after Major T. T. Thornburgh who was killed in a fight with Ute Indians near the White River Agency, September 29, 1879. The dog was a surviver of a wagon train burned during the battle and grew up as a military camp follower. Eventually he ended up at Fort Bridger. On several occasions Thornburgh distinguished himself by his heroic deeds including catching a commissary thief, warning a sentinel of marauding Indians, saving the life of a soldier in a knife fight and rescuing a small boy from drowing. At Fort Bridger, Thornburg became the devoted companion of a freighter, "Buck" Buchanan, and the favorite of many who frequented the Post. Thornnburgh died September 27, 1888 as the result of being kicked by one of Buckanan's mules/
Courtesy Dolores Steele

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