Fort Bridger Historic Site
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to become private homes, barns, bunkhouses and the like. For a time, the buildings that remained WYOMING STATE PARKS, HISTORIC SITES & TRAILS were allowed to fall into disrepair. But after a period of neglect, various groups and individuals took interest in preserving and restoring what remained of old Fort Bridger. In 1933, the property Fort Bridger was dedicated as a Wyoming Historical Landmark and Museum. Historic Site SPECIAL EVENTS • The local Lion’s Club sponsors an annual Easter Egg Hunt on the Fort grounds the Saturday before Easter. HISTORY • Every Memorial Day the local VFW presents a “I have established a small fort, with a flag raising ceremony complete with 21-gun salute blacksmith shop and a supply of iron in at 9 a.m. the road of the emigrants on Black Fork of Green River, which promises fairly ...” • Costumed guides take guests back in time under PARK RULES the cloak of darkness during the annual historical • No alcohol. Thus spoke Jim Bridger in a letter he dictated to moonlight tours of Fort Bridger. One night only. • No horses. would-be suppliers in 1843. While that small fort Reservations strongly suggested. Nominal fee. • No firearms or fireworks. only lasted a little more than a decade, Bridger’s Usually scheduled for the middle of July. • No overnight camping. words proved to be prophetic. Not only did the • No bicycles on footpaths or grass. location “promise fairly,” it proved to be one • Witness Black Powder shooting competitions, • No throwing of objects such as frisbees, of the main hubs of westward expansion used enjoy musical entertainment, and shop at a balls, horseshoes, rocks, etc. by mountain men and Indians to emigrants and pre-1840s open-air Trader’s Row during the • No open fires. Cooking fires in grills only. Mormon pioneers, the U.S. Army, the Pony Annual Mountain Man Rendezvous every Labor • Pets must be on a leash. Express, the Overland Stage and the Union Pacific Day weekend. Nominal entrance fee. Camping • PLEASE OBSERVE HANDICAPPED The past comes alive through Railroad. If it happened in the opening of the available nearby. PARKING SIGNS. Violators will be towed costumed interpreters, museum at owners’ expense. American West, it affected, or was affected by, • On or around Halloween each year, the ghouls displays and a reconstruction Fort Bridger. • All special events must be approved and come out in force at Fort Bridger. Non-historical, require a 30-day advance permit. Contact of Jim Bridger’s trading post. Established by Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez in just plain spooky trick-or-treat tours are provided site office for details. 1843 as an emigrant supply stop along the Oregon as volunteer monsters guide brave souls through an open-air spook-ally. Trail, it was obtained by the Mormons in the 1850s, PARK FEES and then became a military outpost in 1858. GROUP TOURS An annual daily use permit is available for both residents and non-residents, and valid In spite of temporary times of abandonment during A tour guide service for groups of all ages is for the holder and occupants of the holder’s the Civil War and then again during the late 1870s, available for a nominal fee. Costumed guides vehicle. Without the annual daily use permit, Fort Bridger remained U.S. Government property provide historical overview of site history and take until 1890. After the post was abandoned, many of visitors must pay daily use fees. groups through most buildings. Fort Bridger State Historic Site is administered by the Division the buildings constructed by the army were sold at of State Parks and Historic Sites, Wyoming Department of State public auction and moved off of the fort grounds Parks and Cultural Resources. http://wyoparks.state.wy.us/ 30 ← 30 miles to Evanston A Fort Bridger G Historic Site Shop 4 Existing Structures Former Structures 1. Site Offices (1880s Commissary) A. Stables, Corrals, Wagon 2. Homestead Cabin Sheds 3 3. Curatorial Area I B. East Wing of Trader’s Store H 17 (1880s QM Storehouse) J 2 C. W.A. Carter’s Residence 4. 1880s Oil House D. Officer’s Quarters 14 5. Carter’s Warehouse E. Band Quarters 6. Carter’s Mess Hall F. Infantry Barracks 1 7. Post Trader’s Store 10 9 G. Blacksmith 11 5 8. School House & Wash House Original route of California, Oregon, Mormon, H. Fuel/Coal Store House Pony Express and Overland Stage trails 12 9. Ice House I. Laundress Quarters 6 30 30 18 13 10. Stock Shelter & Chicken Coop J. Bakery 11. Pony Express Barn C 8 7 K. 1858 Guard House 12. Carriage House L. Powder Magazine B 13. Carter’s Freight Wagon M. Infantry Barrack / Mess Hall D ← Entrance K (Day use only) 14. Grave of Thornburgh the Dog / Kitchen 15. 1887 Guard House F Fee booth N. Root Cellar DRAINAGE I 28 29 16. Sentry Box O. Military Administration F Route of F 16 15 E Lincoln 17. Historic Trails Marker Building Highway 18. Jim Bridger’s Fort (replica) P. Hospital End ADA-accesible 19. 1868 Guard House L 21 19 Q. Officer’s Quarters path 31 20. 1867 Commissary 20 Q R. Original Commanding 32 21. Mormon Wall Remnant Officer’s Quarters 22. Museum (1880s Barracks) 22 23. Archaeological Exhibit 27 Q 23 33 24. Ranch House ADA Military Parade 25. 1884 Commanding Officer’s Grounds 34 Quarters Drinking water R 26. Sun Dial 27. Bandstand (reconstructed) Parking 28. 1858 Officer’s Quarters Picnic area Q 29. Local Pyramid Monument 30. Pony Express Monument Restrooms 26 31. Lincoln Highway Motel Boardwalk M M M CREEK GROSHON 32. 1950s Residence Q 33. Generator Shed Bridge 34. Historic Outhouse M M M Dirt road N 25 Path/Trail O PHONE NUMBERS Paved Road Carter EMERGENCY ..................................................... 911 Site boundary Site offices ........................................ (307) 782-3842 24 Cemetery P .