Fort Laramie July 7 2006: Let me situate you concerning where we are and what we are doing. Earlier on this trip we had visited Scott's Bluff, Nebraska a prominent place on the Overland Trail. From Scott's Bluff we followed the North Platt River west on US-26 into eastern Wyoming. We made stops at several historic places as we made our way to Casper, Wyoming where we stopped for the night. Our first stop was at Fort Laramie, where we are in this travel adventure. After leaving here we continued west on US-26 until we got to Register Cliff State Historic Site near Gernsey, Wyoming. From Register Cliff we continued a few miles west on US-26 to the Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site which is also in Gernesy. From The Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site we continued our journey to Casper, Wyoming before stopping for the night. Joyce and I spent the night in Casper East RV-Park Casper, Wyoming. Casper East RV-Park is a mom and pop operation without a mom & pop! N42° 51.357' W106° 17.338' $24 for water & 30-amps central sewage. They feature gravel interior roads & pads: This is NOT a campground we would relish staying in again. We will look for a PPA Campground the next time we are in Casper or we will stay at the Fort Casper RV-Park.
For emigrants who reached this portion of the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer, Pony Express trails between 1846 & 1868, the landscape was changing and new challenges lay ahead. This is where travelers on the Overland Trail and all the other trails rested and resupplied with provisions.Upon leaving Fort Laramie, emigrants bound for destinations in Utah, California and Oregon encountered increasingly difficult travel conditions as they made their trek westward. It would be 368 miles to the next major supply point Fort Bridger, or even further if other cut-offs were taken. Ancient Bridge crossing the North Platte River at Fort Laramie
When we arrived in Ft Laramie we turned south on SR 160. Within a few blocks we were crossing the North Platte River and looking at an ancient bridge that crossed the river a few yards down stream from the new bridge we were crossing. While at Fort Laramie I read about the construction of this bridge and if I remember correctly it was constructed during the Indian Wars period so that would put construction in the 1870's or thereabouts. In any event it is an OLD bridge. The steel used in construction was probably shipped in on the newly constructed railroad.
Fort Laramie National Historic Site
As soon as we cross the river we can see old Ft Laramie National Historical Site sitting prominently on a knoll overlooking the river. While visiting Ft Laramie we learned that it was/is situated at the confluence of the North Platte River and Laramie River even though we could not see water in either river from where we were at the fort.
Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Fort Laramie was at the crossroads of a Nation moving west. It may be the single most important location in America's westward expansion. The fort had its origin in 1834 as a trading post. It did not become a military fort until 1849 (the year 30,000 49'ers made their way west) when the US Army purchased the fort. Fort Laramie remained an army post until it closed in 1890.
Fort Laramie National Historic Site
It served from the era of fur traders as fur company fort. Then as a military fort it protected pioneers on the Overland Trail (Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, California trail-Pony express and stage coach lines) and saw the area through the Indian Wars before closing.
Fort Laramie National Historic Site
This has been an awsome stop for us. I don't know how it could have been any better.
Until next time remember how good life is. Click here for some Wyoming travellogsUntil next time remember how good life is. More Woming AdventuresSome Key West Adventures ** More 2006 Travel Adventures
Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
We would love to hear from you......just put "info" in the place of "FAKE" in this address: FAKE@travellogs.us Until next time remember how good life is.
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