Fort fred steele state historic site, rawlins wy roadtrippers. Fort bridger historical association, fort bridger, wy. Fort fred steele the wyoming state historic preservation office. At that time, most of the commercial activity ended and the number of residents declined rapidly. Wyoming military forts american history and genealogy project. For a more detailed timeline of wyoming history, see timeline of wyoming. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected.
Cover sheet fort fred steele, fort steele, carbon county, wy habs wyo,4fofest,1 sheet 1 of 2. This is a list of state parks and reserves in the wyoming state park system operated by the wyoming division of state parks and historic sites state parks and recreation areas. Wyomings state parks offer a variety of outdoor alternatives for solo adventurers and small family groups alike. He had their horse race track plowed under and generally created tension with the tribe. Im looking for activity for the summer of 1868 for fort fred steele which was located on the west bank of the north platte river just north of. Fort fred steele buildings, photo by kathy weiser alexander. Williams pacific tourist, 1876 transcontiental railroad. Troops from the fort also dealt with labor disputes in wyoming and as far. When the indian threat passed fort steele was used by the remaining civilians in logging efforts.
Fort fred steele buildings, photo by kathy weiseralexander. Its a great spot to relax from driving thru wyoming, especially in the winter. Fort steele, also known as fort fred steele, was established to protect the newly built union. Wyoming state historical preservation office, national register of historic places. Carbon county history carbon county economic development. Fort fred steele contributed to national history in the areas of united states military and indian affairs, transcontinental transportation and communication, and its. Fort fred steele 18681886 established 30 jun 1868 by maj. Wyoming fort history and records wyoming genealogy trails. Test excavations at the bridge tenders house, fort fred. Log book for for 1868 for fort fred steele wyoming u.
Fred steele, fort, wyoming north fork of platte river, in carbon county. The discovery of the south pass route over the rocky mountains was the primary reason for the location of the oregon, mormon pioneer, california, and pony express historic trails in wyoming. Until it was rerouted, the lincoln highway took motorists straight through the middle of fort fred steele, wyoming. Fort fred steele, wyoming, established june 20, 1868, guarded men building the union. It was located about 1 mile north of presentday i80 about 7 miles east of sinclair, wyoming at a site administered by the state of wyoming. Test excavations at the bridge tenders house, fort fred steele, wyoming. Fort fred steele state historic site sinclair 2020 all you need to. Before focusing on the individual components of the states history, it is appropriate to look at the grand epic of wyoming. Fort fred steele gradually became a major supply outlet for southcentral wyoming, and ranching, freighting and timbering industries flourished in the area under the fort s protection. Jun 01, 2003 wyoming s historic forts photography by david m. About fort fred steele fort fred steele state historic site is about 12 miles east of rawlins, wyoming and 1.
During the 1800s, the area now known as wyoming became a focus for westward expansion. Fort fred steele state historic site is administered by the division of state parks, historic sites and trails, wyoming department of state parks and cultural resources. Selfguided tours of the ruins are provided by interpretive signage. In the beginning, the post was little more than a tent. Were sure it isnt going to be the only attraction youll want to see in wyoming. Fort fred steele state historic site travel wyoming. Government to guard the railroad against attack from indians. Photograph retrieved from the library of congress, s. Named for colonel frederick steele cullum 1196, 20th u. Phil kearny in northern wyoming had the bloodiest history of any fort in the west. Fort fred steele history fort fred steele was established on june 20, 1868, and occupied until august 7, 1886, by soldiers who were sent by the u. Some eleven thousand years ago man first appeared upon the scene. Casualties included the fort s commander, major thomas thornburgh.
Carbon carbon county fort fred steele fort steele wyoming, 1933. Writer owen wister, who had visited the area often, published the book the. Wyoming kids extreme activities, programs and events encourage youth and families to experience, explore, and engage in wyomings cultural and natural resources. Fort fred steele was established on june 20, 1868, to guard the men who were building the union pacific railroad across southern wyoming against indian attacks. This is a list of state parks and reserves in the wyoming state park system operated by the wyoming division of state parks and historic sites.
Legends of america photo prints fort fred steele fort. In the past, i havent tended to post fort entries here, but for net related technical reasons, im going to, even though these arguably belong on one of my other blogs. Fort fred steele was occupied until august 7, 1886 by soldiers who were sent to guard the. Dodge, who selected this site on the west bank of the north platte river, and named the fort for major general frederick steele, 20th u. Fort fred steele state historic site, sinclair, wyoming. To supply the great railroad, coal mines were established and. Wyoming pioneers frequently had family connections to surrounding states.
Image of fort fred steele sinclair wy us historical. Fort fred steele was a military fort charged with guarding the railroad from the indians from 1868 to 1886. Fort fred steele state historic site home facebook. Fort industry fred steele carbon county, wyoming travel.
Fort fred steele gradually became a major supply outlet for southcentral wyoming, and ranching, freighting and timbering industries flourished in the area under the forts protection. Fred steele, a location that ive sometimes thought is the bleakest historical site in wyoming. Fort fred steele state historic site accommodation. They played an important role in the history and development of the state, acting as a drawing point for settlers, native american, and soldiers in an otherwise empty landscape. April 16, 1969 fort steele, also known as fort fred steele, was established to protect the newly built union pacific railroad from attacks by native americans during construction of the transcontinental railroad in the united states.
Its well stocked and likely the best unmanned rest spot ive even been to. Delivery times may vary, especially during peak periods. Fort fred steele state historic site sinclair 2020 all. Fort fred steele was established at a strategic point where the railroad crossed the north platte river. The fort eventually lost its military importance, and the army ordered the regular garrison to abandon the post in the fall of 1886. Indian wars, copyright 2008, stackpole books, isbn. Itll be hard to find any hotel rooms near fort fred steele state historic site. In 1868, tie hacks cut logs and floated them down the north platte river to fort steele. Halleck, fort, wyoming at the foot of medicine bow mountain. Wyoming military forts american history and genealogy. Kearny, phil, fort, wyoming big horn mountains, between the big and little piney forks of powder river.
The fort was closed in 1886, and the site, containing foundations of the. Fort fred steele state historic site is about miles east of rawlins, wyoming and 1. Historically, wyoming was home to several military posts. Some 43 miles west of medicine bow on the lincoln highway, bypassing hanna and elk mountain, is the abandoned military post of fort fred steele. The famous johnson county range war 1892 took place in wyoming, between large ranchers and small farmers. History of fort fred steele state historic site in fort fred steele was built by the u.
Fort fred steele was established in 1868 to guard the union pacific railroad from indian attack. Fort fred steele was established in june 1868 to protect the advancing. Then meeker went a step further and called for assistance from federal troops, who marched south from fort fred steele in southern wyoming. N forts on the national register of historic places in wyoming. With the beginning of world war ii and the end of the timber. With the beginning of world war ii and the end of the timber industry, the town. Im looking for activity for the summer of 1868 for fort fred steele which was located on the west bank of the north platte river just north of where the union pacific trestle bridge. History of fort fred steele state historic site civil war heroes, north platte. Quite a few markers at the post commemorate the ranching history of the area, rather than the military history. Original military structures at fort steele included a commanding officers quarters, officers quarters, two large warehouses, a powder magazine, two enlisted barracks and a number of smaller structures. The fort, named after civil war brevet major general frederick steele by richard dodge, was one of the three great forts established to protect the union pacific and its workers from marauding indians. Thousands of well organized indians from the cheyenne, arapaho and sioux tribes fought battle after battle with the u. It was listed on the national register of historic places on april 16, 1969. This unknown landmark is a post civil war railroad fort that.
Guernsey, wyoming oregon trail ruts these pictures are used in a lot of books. Fort fred steele state historic site, rawlins roadtrippers. The logs were floated down the north platte to the fort where they would be cut into railroad ties and fence posts. One of three military forts designed to protect the union pacific railroad route through wyoming.
The fort was built in 1868 where the railroad crossed the north platte river in carbon county, wyoming. One of three military posts located along wyoming s section of the track, the fort was home to. Fort russell near cheyenne, still operating as francis e. Forts and military posts of wyoming genealogy trails. This encampment on the south bank of the north platte river was the subject of at. The monument in the left of the above photo recites. Library of congress prints and photographs division washington. Fort fred steele, company barracks, fort steele, carbon. Wyoming pioneer couple military command at fort laramie. In 1879, meeker attempted to force the tribe to give up horse herds and to begin farming and agricultural activities. Jun 28, 2012 fort fred steele was established in 1868 to guard the union pacific railroad from indian attack.
The fort s structures have suffered from repeated fires. Army from the 1860s to the 1880s to protect the union pacific railroad from attacks by indians where the tracks crossed the platte river. So youre considering heading to fort fred steele state historic site. Army to protect workers on the advancing transcontinental railroad at the spot where the rails crossed the north platte river. Steele rest area just off of interstate 80, exit 228. Located on the west bank of the north platte river, the site was selected by colonel richard dodge, and named for major general frederick steele, a civil war hero. Hiking and biking are popular activities at nearly all parks, while some offer fishing, boating, archery and other sports. Fort fred steele, wyoming abandoned but not forgotten. One of three military posts located along wyomings section of. Fort fred steele was established on june 20, 1868 and occupied until august 7, 1886 by soldiers who were sent by the u. Wikimedia commons has media related to forts in wyoming subcategories. Railhead a website dedicated to interesting train stations i run across, or trains perhaps, or perhaps just interesting things connected with railroads.
A view into the past today many of the foundations are visible but very few structures are intact. Abandoned 3 nov 1886 after being transferred to the interior department 9 aug 1886. It is now managed as fort fred steele state historic site by the state of wyoming. The fort was closed in and the site, containing foundations of the. In addition to the troops, more civilians were hired to assist with the. Pages in category wyoming all the following 69 pages are in this category, out of 69 total. Wyoming was the scene of the end of the great indian battles.
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