Wyoming Forts

American Forts: West

WYOMING

Last Update: 12/JANUARY/2025

Camp Medicine Butte
(1885 - 1887), Evanston
A Federal encampment that protected the Union Pacific Railroad and the mail routes from anti-Chinese rioters.

Fort Bridger (State Historic Site)
(1843 - 1878, 1880 - 1890), Fort Bridger
Originally a log stockaded trading post on the Oregon Trail built by Jim Bridger and Luis Vásquez. The Mormons "captured" the fort and used it from 1853 to 1857. It was rebuilt in 1855. A portion of an 1850's era adobe wall still remains. The Mormons burned the fort during trouble with the U.S. Army in 1857, and the Federals then took over the ruins and rebuilt it in 1858 to protect the Pony Express and Overland mail routes. It was rebuilt with stone and logs, with two bastions on opposite corners, with barracks and Officers' quarters. CA and NV Volunteers took over the post in 1862. Re-occupied in 1880 after the Ute Uprising and the Meeker Massacre. Many of the buildings have been restored. The museum is in a restored barracks. Nearby the replica of the original 1843 Jim Bridger's Trading Post has also been reconstructed.
See also Over-Land.com || GhostTowns.com

Camp Scott
(1857 - 1858), near Fort Bridger
Winter quarters for the Federal Army of Utah as they arrived to take over Mormon-held Fort Bridger. Located on the Black's Fork of the Green River, about two miles north of Fort Bridger.

Fort Supply
(1853 - 1857), Robertson
A Mormon stockaded fort built after they took over Fort Bridger, to supply wagon trains headed to Salt Lake City. It was burned by the Mormons during trouble with the U.S. Army. It was never rebuilt. A marker or monument is at the site one mile west and one mile south of town.
(thanks to Jerry Blanz for providing correct location)

Camp Church Buttes
(1865), near Granger
Church Butte, a prominent landmark on the old California-Oregen-Mormon Trail, is located about 13 miles northeast of Lyman, and 10 miles southwest of Granger.

Camp Winfield
(1857), near Granger
The initial Federal encampment (September 1857) during the so-called "Mormon War" was located on the Ham's Fork of the Green River. Also known as Camp on Ham's Fork. Replaced by Camp Scott after about four weeks. Located about 15 miles from the river's junction with the Black's Fork of the Green River.

Of interest nearby is the restored Granger Stage Station State Historic Site (1862) on the Overland Trail. The Ham's Fork Pony Express station (1860) was once located one-half mile away south of the river.

Bridger - Fraeb Trade Post
(1841 - 1842), near Granger
A trading post built by Jim Bridger and Henry Fraeb, located on the west side of the Green River at the crossing of the Oregon Trail, about 18 miles northeast of town (within the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge). Fraeb was killed by Indians in August 1841 near his other post on the Little Snake River (Battle Creek) (see below), shortly after this post was built. Bridger continued on, later relocating to the Black's Fork of the Green River with Louis Vásquez.

Rock Springs Station
(1860's), Rock Springs
A fortified stage station on the Overland Trail. A marker/monument is on Springs Drive under the I-80 overpass.

Located nearby on the west bank of Killpecker Creek was Blair's Stockade (1866 - 1870), a trading post built by brothers Archibald and Duncan Blair. Blairtown later evolved into Rock Springs.

Camp Pilot Butte
(1875, 1885 - 1899), Rock Springs
A Federal cantonment established to restore order after anti-Chinese race riots (September 1885). Also known as Camp at Rock Springs. There were several buildings built, with Officers' quarters and troop barracks around a parade ground. Site bounded by present-day Soulsby Street and Pilot Butte, Bridger, and Elias Avenues. The former post was then used by the Union Pacific Coal Company until 1950. One barracks was then rebuilt and refaced with brick, used as a school building by the Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. It has recently been demolished. Another former barracks is (was ?) located across the street from the church, used as private apartments.

Federal troops were also previously posted here in November 1875 during a coal miners' strike.

Salt Wells Station
(1860's), south of Superior
A fortified stage station on the Overland Trail along Bitter Creek, south of Point of Rocks. It was burned down sometime between 1866-68.

Point of Rocks Station
(1860's), Point of Rocks
A fortified stage station on the Overland Trail. Also known as Rock Point Station, or Almond Station. Stone ruins remain with interpretive signage. Became a State Historic Site in 1947.

Black Butte Station
(1860's), near Bitter Creek
A fortified stage station on the Overland Trail. Located 14 miles west of Big Pond Station, and five miles west of Black Butte. The site is owned by the Black Butte Coal Company, which can provide a guided tour of the stone ruins upon advance request.

Big Pond Station
(1860's), Bitter Creek
A fortified stage station on the Overland Trail. Located 12 miles west of Fort LaClede along Bitter Creek. A detachment of Nevada volunteer cavalry garrisoned the station in the summer of 1865. Attacked and destroyed by Indians in July 1867, but rebuilt.

Fort LaClede
(1863 - 1869), south of Table Rock
Only stone ruins remain of the military fort and the adjacent LaClede stage station on the Overland Trail along the south bank of Bitter Creek, about 13 miles west of Dug Springs. The site is on public land, but is currently fenced-off by the Rock Springs Grazing Association which leases the surrounding property from the B.L.M.. The fort included a gun tower, and several rifle pits on a nearby hill.

Dug Springs Station
(1860's), south of Table Rock
A fortified stage station on the Overland Trail near Middle Barrel Springs Canyon. Stone ruins remains on B.L.M. land. Also known as Barrel Springs Station, or Wild Rose Station.

Duck Lake Station
(1860's), south of Table Rock
A fortified stage station on the Overland Trail. No remains.

Washakie Station
(1860's), south of Red Desert
A fortified stage station on the Overland Trail. Stone ruins remain. A detachment of Kansas volunteer cavalry was posted here. Also known as Waskie Station. Site located on public land southwest of Rawlins, about 3.5 miles west of the Overland Trail marker on WY 789.
(NOTE: not to be confused with Fort Washakie listed below)

Sulpher Springs Station
(1862 - unknown), south of Creston Junction
A fortified stage and telegraph station on the Overland Trail on Muddy Creek. Garrisoned by a detachment of the Kansas volunteer cavalry in 1865. Attacked by Indians in 1863 and 1865. Stone ruins remain on private land.

Camp Bridger's Pass
(1867), south of Sinclair
An Army encampment at Bridger's Pass protecting the Overland Trail after Indian attacks. Attacked in June 1867.

The Bridger's Pass Station (1862 - 1865) was attacked by Indians in June 1865, destroying the post. It was reported to have a troop detachment there at that time. No remains.

Pine Grove Station
(1860's), south of Rawlins
A fortified log cabin stage station on the Overland Trail at Miller Hill near Pine Grove Creek. Attacked and destroyed by Indians in June 1865, but rebuilt. No remains.

Sage Creek Station (1)
(1860's), south of Rawlins
A fortified stage station on the Overland Trail at Miller Creek. Attacked and destroyed by Indians in June 1865. Site is on B.L.M. public land. No remains.

Fort Rawlins
(1868 - unknown), Rawlins
Built to protect Union Pacific Railroad workers. Probably located at Rawlins Spring just north of town.

Fort Fred Steele (State Historic Site)
(1868 - 1886), Fort Steele
Built in June 1868 to protect Union Pacific Railroad workers and to replace the abandoned Bozeman Trail forts. After the fort was abandoned, local settlers and businesses took up residence here after 1893. The last intact building burned down in 1976. Only a powder magazine (1891) and various foundation ruins remain, with interpretive signage. The visitor center is in a reconstructed post suttler's house. The railroad right-of-way now cuts through the site, which is under the management of Seminoe State Park. A state marker is located nearby at the highway rest stop. Artifacts and exhibits are at the Carbon County Museum at 904 West Walnut Street in Rawlins.

James Baker's Cabin
(1873), Savery
A three-story log cabin/blockhouse with gun ports, built by then-retired fur trader and mountain man James (Jim) Baker. Baker was one of the survivors of the 1841 fight at nearby Fraeb's Post. The cabin was used by local settlers for protection after the 1879 Meeker Massacre, when the third story was added. Baker died in 1898. The cabin, originally located about 1.5 miles south of town, was relocated to Frontier Park in Cheyenne in 1917. It was moved back to the area in 1976, now restored on the grounds of the Little Snake River Museum at 13 County Road 561 North.

Henry Fraeb's Post
(1841), near Savery
A trading post was under construction here when attacked by a large party of Sioux Indians in August 1841. Fraeb and four others were killed. Site located at or near Battle Creek (formerly known as St. Vrain's Fork in some sources), along the Little Snake River, about four miles east of town, just north of the state border. Local features named for the incident also include Battle Pass, Battle Lake, and Battle Mountain.

Soldiers' Road Fort
(1869), Riverside
Built to protect Union Pacific Railroad workers at a railroad tie-cutting camp in the Sierra Madre Range. It was a subpost of Fort Fred Steele. The small fort comprised two blockhouses surrounded by a stone fence, and was located on the Soldiers' Road to Soldier's Camp and Soldier Summit, facing east towards the Encampment River about 0.75 mile upstream of the present town. Soldiers' Camp was located near the Encampment River at the mouth of Soldier Creek west of Encampment.

Fort Halleck
(1862 - 1866), Whiskey Gap
An open complex of log cabins, stables, and sod dugouts, built to protect the Overland Trail and the telegraph line. It was never stockaded. Taken over by a private ranch operation after the post was abandoned. A log blacksmith shop still remains, although it may not be of military origin. A 1914 D.A.R. monument is at the old post cemetery. Located three miles west of Elk Mountain, the site on Quealy Ranch is private property. Since a change-of-ownership in 2005 it is no longer accessible to the general public.

Medicine Bow Depot
(1870's), Medicine Bow
An Army Quartermaster and Commissary Depot at a rail stop here, supporting the main supply depot at Rock River. No remains.

Rock River Depot
(1870's), Rock River
An Army Quartermaster and Commissary Depot at a rail stop here. The Army maintained a wagon road between the Rock Creek stage station and this rail stop north to Fort Fetterman. No remains.

Rock Creek Station
(1860 - unknown), Arlington
A blockhouse-type stage station on the Overland Trail. It still remains on Main Street.

Fort Sanders
(1866 - 1882), Laramie
Originally known as Fort John Buford in July 1866, but renamed a few months later. It was established for the protection of the railroad workers and the Overland Trail. Calamity Jane was stationed here in 1871 as a scout. A stockade with stone blockhouses was planned but never built. A stone guardhouse and magazine remain in ruins, with a 1914 D.A.R. monument, but most of the original site is now a former golf course (Laramie Country Club, which closed in the 1960's), with the modern highway now bisecting the area. The present Cavalryman Steakhouse Restaurant (opened in 1970) was once the country club's clubhouse, originally built in 1925 on the former parade ground. Site located two miles south of town, east of the Laramie River. The former Post Commander's House also still exists, now located in town at LaBonte Park on Ninth Street. It had been used as the Wyoming Children's Museum and Nature Center from 2000 - 2010.

Camp Barber
(1891), near Laramie
A WY National Guard (State Militia) summer encampment and training area. Federal troops from Fort D.A. Russell (17th Infantry) also participated for one week in August.

Camp Walbach
(1858 - 1859), near Federal
An Army encampment built to protect the Cheyenne Pass crossing. Site located four miles west of town on South Lodgepole Creek.

General William T. Sherman and his escort party camped here in the late summer of 1866 while inspecting the territory of the Division of the Missouri for future military sites.

Fort David A. Russell
(Francis E. Warren Air Force Base)
(1867 - 1948/present), Cheyenne
Built to protect Union Pacific Railroad workers. Located three miles west of town on the north bank of Crow Creek, it was originally named Camp (or Post) on Crow Creek. In 1898 used as a muster post of the 2nd U.S. Volunteer Cavalry. Became a Regular Army mobilization center during WWI. A WY National Guard mobilization tent encampment during the 1916 Mexican Border Crisis was known as Camp Kendrick. A temporary "Flying Field" was established on post in 1919, but was closed in 1920. The last horse cavalry units left the post in 1927, and the last remaining draft horses were sold off in 1943. The fort changed its name in 1930 to Fort Francis E. Warren, with the old name transferred to the post in Marfa, Texas. A Quartermaster Replacement Training Center was built on the south side of Crow Creek during WWII. German and Italian POWs were also held at the post from 1943 to 1946. The Air Force took command of the post in 1948 (not becoming F.E. Warren Air Force Base until 1949), but all flight operations took place at Cheyenne's nearby municipal airport (a dedicated military runway was never built). Continental missile defense operations began in 1958. The Warren ICBM and Heritage Museum is on post in the former 1894 Army Commander's Headquarters (Building 210). Many of the brick structures still remain from the 1880's and 1890's. See also Military Yearbook Project by Richard Morgan

The Fort Russell Target and Maneuver Range was established in 1904 at the former Crow Creek Forest Reserve (est. 1880 as a military timber reserve) about 30 miles west for annual brigade-level summer training and field maneuvers. Renamed Pole Mountain Maneuver Area in 1909. Used by WY National Guard and Regular Army troops until 1937, then became a military hunting and fishing preserve until 1959 when transferred to the U.S. Forest Service as part of Medicine Bow National Forest.

Camp Carlin
(1867 - 1890), Cheyenne
Officially called Cheyenne Depot, or later Quartermaster Depot at Cheyenne beginning in 1871 to avoid confusion with the Union Pacific Railroad's "Cheyenne Depot" in town. When Captain Elias Carlin left the post in 1869, local teamsters and citizens continued using the unofficial name for several years afterward. Located on the railroad spur midway between the old Fort Russell post and the town, now within the eastern edge of the present-day F.E. Warren Air Force Base reservation. Supplied up to fourteen other Army posts and various Indian Agencies on the northern High Plains. Became an Army Mule Pack Service training and holding center during the 1890's. The remaining buildings were relocated into town or torn down after 1901. A 1927 D.A.R. stone marker is located on Happy Jack Road at the depot's flagpole site.

Camp Richards
(1898), Cheyenne
A Spanish-American War state muster-in camp located at the fairgrounds northwest of town, now present-day Frontier Park.

Camp O.O. Howard
(1885), near Pine Bluffs
A temporary Army encampment to protect the Union Pacific railroad workers.

Andrew Drips' Post
(1857 - 1860), near Torrington
An American Fur Co. (Pierre Chouteau and Co.) post on the North Platte River, located about 19 miles southeast of Fort Laramie, mostly intended for the Oregon Trail traffic. Drips died in September 1860, and the post was subsequently closed.

The Cold Springs (aka Spring Ranch) Pony Express station was nearby in 1860, just southeast of town. It is unclear if the two posts were the same or separate establishments.

Fort Bernard
(1845 - 1846), near Lingle
A Pratte, Cabanné and Co. fur trade post built by John Baptiste Richard ("Reshaw"). Also known as Richard's Post (1). Located about four miles northwest of town, and eight miles east of the Fort Laramie military post. It was destroyed by fire.

James Bordeaux' Post (1849 - 1868) was later located about two miles east of Fort Bernard. It was an unfortified trading post/store operated by Bordeaux and Joseph Bissonette. Bissonette left after one year and returned to his former post just upstream (see below). The post also served as a stage (1850's) and Pony Express station (1860).

Peter Sarpy's Post was first located in this vicinity in 1837, but was abandoned within the year.

Joseph Bissonette's Post
(1844 - 1849 ?, 1851 - 1864 ?), near Fort Laramie
An independent fur trade post (log cabin) located on the North Platte River just downstream from the Laramie River, about three miles upstream from Fort Bernard. Bissonette later abandoned the post but returned here in 1851 (or built a new post) and managed to stay in business for several more years.

Fort Platte
(1841 - 1847), near Fort Laramie
An independent competition trade post to Fort Laramie, located on the south bank of the North Platte River. Strongly built, it was 103 by 144 feet square. Sold by Lancaster Lupton in 1842 to Sybille, Adams and Co., and they in turn sold it in 1845 to Pratte, Cabanné and Co.. Sold in 1847 to the American Fur Co. who then demolished it. No remains. A state marker and monument is located on the road (WY 160) to the Fort Laramie military post, about two miles west of town. The actual fort site is on private property.

Fort Laramie (National Historic Site)
(1834 - 1841, 1841 - 1890), Fort Laramie
Originally located here was Fort William, a wooden stockaded trading post built in 1834 by the Rocky Mountain Fur Co. (William Sublette and Robert Campbell) and located on the Oregon Trail. It was sold in 1835 to Fontenelle, Fitzpatrick and Company, and renamed Fort Lucien, after Lucien Fontenelle. However, after 1835 it was popularly known by traders as Fort Laramie, after an early fur trader who was killed in 1821. It was sold to the American Fur Co. (Pratte, Chouteau and Co.) in 1836, abandoned in 1841 as a new adobe fort was built just west to replace it. This was the first permanent trading post in the state.

A new adobe fort was built on a new site about one-half mile west in 1841 and named Fort John, after John Sarpy of the American Fur Company. The U.S. Army purchased the adobe fort in 1849 to guard the Oregon and other trails and the mail routes. The post's official name remained Fort John. However, almost everyone continued to use the popular name "Fort Laramie", eventually even including the U.S. Army. The Army replaced the older structures with newer construction by 1862. The fort was eventually abandoned in 1890. Twenty-one buildings (some restored and some ruins) still remain. Restored buildings include a guardhouse, hospital, Officers' quarters (1849), Cavalry barracks (1874), and sutler's store (1849), which is the oldest known building in the state. A stone monument was erected in 1913, and the site became a National Monument in 1938. The site was restored between 1938 and 1965. Located three miles west of the town Fort Laramie. Admission fee.

Fort Adams
(1841 - 1842), near Fort Laramie
A cottonwood log trading post established by Sybille, Adams and Co. on the North Platte River near the mouth of the Laramie River. Exact location unknown. The company bought out Lancaster Lupton at Fort Platte in 1842 and subsequently moved operations there.

Lock and Randolph's Trading Post
(1841 - 1842), near Fort Laramie
A trading post established by Lock, Randolph and Company on the North Platte River near the mouth of the Laramie River, a mile or two upstream of Fort Adams. Exact location unknown. The company went bust in 1842.

Rawhide Creek Post
(early 1850's - 1860 ?), Goshen County
A small satellite post operated by James Bordeaux, located on Rawhide Creek somewhere near the southwest side of Rawhide Butte/Mountain. Exact location unknown. Rawhide Mountain is about 12 miles south of Lusk. Apparently abandoned by Bordeaux in 1857 when the buildings were then occupied and expanded by Sioux Indian agent Thomas Twiss.

Camp Hat Creek
(1876 - 1877), Hat Creek
An Army stockade to protect the Cheyenne-Deadwood Trail to the Black Hills goldmines. The original location was actually on Sage Creek, due to a map error by the Army. Chief Crazy Horse surrendered here in 1877. The Hat Creek stage station, across the creek from the camp, was rebuilt in 1883, with some buildings still remaining. Site is marked by stone monument, located about 14 miles north of Lusk.

Camp on Sage Creek (2) was a temporary Army camp previously here in 1875.

Moncravie House (Post)
(1856 - 1858), near Grayrocks Reservoir
A small makeshift independent trading house operated by John B. Moncravie (or Jean Baptiste Moncrévier), located on the Laramie River about 12 miles upstream from Fort Laramie, on land given to him and his Sioux wife by her Oglala brothers. Abandoned in 1858.

Ward and Guerrier's Trading Post
(1840's - 1860's), near Guernsey
A trading post built by William Guerrier and Seth Ward located on the Oregon Trail near Register Cliff, southeast of town. They sold out in 1857 to Jules Ecoffey and relocated to Fort Laramie, where Ward became the post sutler. Known as Sand Point Trading Post under Ecoffey. Sand Point became a Pony Express station in 1860, which was variously known as the Sand Point, Nine Mile, Central Star, or Star Ranch Station. A stone monument on South Guernsey Road marks the approximate site.

Camp Bitter Cottonwood
(1856), Wendover
A temporary Army encampment on Cottonwood Creek. A Pony Express station was later here in 1860. The site of the Pony Express station is marked by a steel pole in a fence line along Wendover Road, on private property.

Fort Robinson
(unknown dates), Wendover
A military (?) fort located on the North Platte River at Cottonwood Creek. No other information found. (not verified)
(info provided by Marshall Sitrin)

Horseshoe Station
(1862 - 1866), near Glendo
A fortified telegraph station and former Pony Express station on the Overland Trail, about two miles south of town on Horseshoe Creek. Also known as Camp Horseshoe. William "Buffalo Bill" Cody was first hired for the Pony Express here at this station. Became a private ranch in 1867 after the protective Army detachment left. Attacked and destroyed by Indians in March 1868.

Detachment at Bridger's Ferry
(1866), Orin
A temporary Army cavalry post protecting both landings of the ferry across the North Platte River, located about 1.5 miles south of town. Benjamin Mills was then operating the ferry after buying it from Jim Bridger in 1866. The ferry was important for supplying the military posts established along the Bozeman Trail that year. The north landing is marked by a small monument.

La Bonte Creek Post
(early 1840's, 1850's), near Douglas
An independent trade post originally built by a trader named LaBonte (LaBonte's Post), located on the North Platte River at or near the mouth of La Bonte Creek. LaBonte was reportedly killed by Indians shortly thereafter. Joseph Bissonette later occupied a post here sometime in the 1850's.

Camp Marshall
(1862 - 1866), near Douglas
Originally called Detachment at La Bonte Station until 1863 when a stockade was constructed around this telegraph station on the Oregon Trail. Garrisoned by a detachment of the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry in 1864, and then by Company I, 6th U.S. Volunteer Infantry in 1865. Burned soon after it was abandoned. Located 10 miles south of town on the North Platte River at the mouth of La Bonte Creek.

Camp at Douglas (1)
(1892), Douglas
Army cavalry troops were briefly posted here in the autumn of 1892 in the aftermath of the so-called "Johnson County War".

Camp Douglas (2) (State Historic Site)
(1943 - 1946), Douglas
A WWII POW camp for Italian and German troops. The Officers' Club still remains, now restored and designated as a state historic site in 2012. A few other original buildings are located on the west side of town repurposed for private use.
* This entry is listed here for historical interest only. *

LaPrele Station
(1862 - 1866), near Douglas
A fortified stage and telegraph station on the Overland Trail, about ten miles west of town at LaPrele Creek.

Fort Fetterman (State Historic Site)
(1867 - 1882), near Orpha
Replaced Fort Caspar. Located on LaPrele Creek near the junction of the Oregon and Bozeman Trails. Originally a stockaded post, it was abandoned by the Army in 1882 but ranchers and wagon trains continued to use the site until 1886. Became a state park in 1961. Two original buildings remain, now restored. The park's visitor center is in the former Officers' quarters, and the former ordnance storehouse is now a museum of the site. Admission fee.

Deer Creek Station
(1862 - 1866), Glenrock
A fortified stage and telegraph station on the Overland Trail. Attacked and burned by Indians in 1866. The station was originally built as a trade post (Deer Creek Post) in 1857 by Joseph Bissonette, and operated by him until 1860. No remains. State marker and monuments located in Glenrock Park at North Third and Center Streets. Bissonette also operated a ferry across the North Platte River just north and west of here during 1849-50, and a toll bridge in 1851-52 (washed away in 1852 and not replaced).

Camp Elkins
(1892), near Glenrock
A temporary Army summer encampment during the "Johnson County War", a subpost of Fort Niobrara, NE.

Camp Davis
(1855 - 1859), Evansville
A temporary Army post at the (John) Richard ("Reshaw") Bridge (1853 - 1865) crossing of the Oregon Trail on the North Platte River. Renamed Camp (or "Fort") Payne in 1858 when a small adobe fort was built. Also known as Post at Platte Bridge. The adobe fort was possibly known as Fort Richard (2) after the Army left in 1859, and was later destroyed by the Cheyenne in 1865. A modern replica of the wooden Richard Bridge is located in Reshaw Park by the river. (NOTE: not to be confused with Platte Bridge Station just upriver to the west in Casper.)

Fort Caspar
(Fort Caspar Museum)
(1859 - 1867), Casper
Located on the south side of the North Platte River at the emmigrant crossing known as Camp Platte (beginning in 1840), later known as Mormon Ferry from 1847 to 1858, then afterward simply as Platte Bridge. The military post was first known as Camp Platte River, or Camp Clay, until 1862, then renamed Platte Bridge Station until 1865. Built to help protect the Oregon Trail and the telegraph line. Attacked by Indians in July 1865 (Battle of Platte Bridge). Rebuilt, renamed, and enlarged in 1866, it was then abandoned and replaced by Fort Fetterman. The buildings and bridge were supposedly burned by the Indians immediately afterward. The fort was reconstructed in 1936 by the WPA, to the 1865 period. A new museum (1983) is on site. Park is operated by the city. Admission fee.
(NOTE: An early clerical error, by either the Army or a postal clerk, changed the spelling of the town.)

Camp Dodge
(1865), near Casper
A temporary Army cavalry post located on the east side of Upper Garden Creek, about four miles southeast of Fort Caspar. The troops were transferred to Camp Marshall at the end of the spring season.

Sweetwater Station
(1862 - 1868), Natrona County
A fortified stage (1858) and telegraph station on the Overland Trail, at the Sweetwater Creek crossing near Independence Rock. Also known as Camp Stillings. A ferry was built here in 1857 by Louis Guinard. Attacked by Indians in June 1865.

Fort Seminoe
(1852 - 1860's), Natrona County
A trading post established by Charles "Seminoe" Lajuenesse on the Oregon Trail near Muddy Gap and Devil's Gate. The Mormons used this post as a place of refuge in 1856 while they were caught in an early blizzard at Horse Creek, located to the east of Independence Rock. The site became part of the Tom Sun Ranch after 1872. The actual fort site, discovered in 2001, was excavated under the direction of the Mormon Church and a reproduction has been built. Nearby at Martin's Cove is the Mormon Handcart Historic Site and Visitor Center, which manages the fort site. See also Fort Seminoe Archaeological Dig from WY State Historic Preservation Office

Portuguese Houses
(1834 - 1840), near Kaycee
Located at the confluence of the North and South Forks of the Powder River, about 12 miles east of town. Sometimes referred to as Fort Antonio, after trader Antonio Montéro, who worked for Capt. Benjamin Bonneville. This was a complex of log cabins surrounded by a 200-foot square palisade, intended as a supply base for trappers working the Bighorn Mountains. Sioux Indians lay seige to the post in 1835, but was later abandoned due in large part to a large influx of competitive fur-trappers in the winter of 1836-37, who cleaned out Montéro of almost everything he had.

(Old) Fort Reno
(1865 - 1868), near Sussex
Originally named Fort Connor and used as a supply base during Brig. General Patrick Conner's Powder River Campaign (August 1865). Ordered abandoned, but it was rebuilt in June 1866 into a stockaded log fort with hexagonal blockhouses and renamed. It was later abandoned in accordance with a peace treaty with the Indians, and almost immediately afterwards burned by them (August 1868). Mounds of soil trace the outlines of the fort, located on the west bank of the Powder River along the Bozeman Trail. A stone monument (1914) is at the site, located 11 miles north of town.

Fort at the TA Ranch
(1892), near Buffalo
A crude fortification consisting of deep trenchworks and log breastworks around the barns and ranchhouse of the TA Ranch during the so-called "Johnson County War" (April 1892) between the powerful cattle barons and independent cattle ranchers and homesteaders. The Regulators, the hired gunmen of the cattle barons, took refuge at the defended ranch, located about 13 miles south of town, east of I-25/US 87, after being cornered by an armed force of homesteaders who wanted revenge for the killings of several of their own earlier at the KC Ranch near Kaycee. Army troops from Fort McKinney arrived to diffuse the situation and arrested all the Regulators, who ended up being taken prisoners to Fort D.A. Russell to await civilian trial. At least one of the original ranch barns still exists on private property.

Fort McKinney
(Veterans' Home of Wyoming)
(1876 - 1894), Buffalo
Originally located three miles south of the former Fort Reno, on the north bank of the Powder River, and called Cantonment Reno or New Fort Reno (2). It was renamed in 1877. Due to unhealthful conditions the post was moved in July 1878 to its present location three miles west of town on Clear Creek. The former site remained lightly garrisoned until 1879, however, known as McKinney Depot or Reno Station. A state marker for Cantonment Reno is located three miles south of the old Fort Reno site. The actual site is private property. Some cellar holes still remain.

The new Fort McKinney became the State Soldiers and Sailors Home in 1905, now known (since 1980's) as the Veterans' Home of Wyoming, located at 700 Veterans Lane, about two miles west of the Fort and Main Streets intersection. Several original buildings still remain, including the 1880 post hospital (now used for state offices), the 1893 stable (now a garage), and the 1878 barracks (now remodeled). Other former post buildings may still be located in and around town. Of interest in town is the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum at 100 Fort Street (admission fee).

Walter Jenney's Stockade
(1875), Weston County
A log stockade built by the 1875 Black Hills Scientific Expedition enroute from Fort Laramie to the Black Hills. Originally located on the east fork of Beaver Creek (aka Stockade Creek), southeast of Newcastl. Also known as Camp Jenney. It later became a stage station on the Cheyenne-Deadwood Trail in 1877. A marker denotes the site on the present LAK Ranch. An original log cabin was later moved in 1933 to the Anna Miller Museum at 401 Delaware Ave. in Newcastle.

Other camps built by the expedition included Camp Bradley and Camp Transfer near Inyan Kara Mountain to the north in Crook County. Several other camps were located in South Dakota (see also).

Camp Devin
(1878), Crook County
A temporary Federal cavalry encampment originally located on the Little Missouri River north of Hulett, just south of Alzada, MT. After about five weeks it was relocated to Oak Creek on the south side of the Belle Fourche River, 10 miles north of Aladdin, before it was abandoned after an additional six weeks.

Camp P.A. Bettens
(1892 - 1895, intermittent), Arvada
After its initial occupation during the "Johnson County War" in 1892, this post was reoccupied every summer as a cavalry training subpost of Fort Robinson, NE. Site located on the Powder River north of town.

Fort Phil Kearny (State Historic Site)
(1866 - 1868), near Story
Built to protect the Bozeman Trail in July 1866. It was first known as Fort Carrington and New Fort Reno (1), originally intended to replace Fort Reno. The "Fetterman Massacre" site (December 1866) is located about two miles away. Three blockhouses were built outside the main fort to protect woodcutting parties. Almost continuously attacked by Indians, the 18-acre stockaded fort, with two corner blockhouses, was abandoned in accordance with a peace treaty with the Indians (August 1868). The Cheyenne burned it down soon afterward. Reconstructed partial stockade and visitor center/museum on site. Admission fee.

Camp Cloud Peak
(1876), Sheridan
Army troops under General George Crook camped here on Goose Creek before and after the Battle of the Rosebud (June 1876) in Montana. Crook's command then remained here during General George Custer's defeat at the Little Bighorn (July 1876). Site marked in Kendrick Park.

Fort Mackenzie
(Sheridan VA Medical Center)
(1899 - 1918), Sheridan
A frontier garrison post and training cantonment during the Spanish-American War and World War I. Brick buildings built after 1902. Became a Veterans Administration Hospital in 1922, with about 75 of the original brick buildings still remaining.

Fort Yellowstone
(Yellowstone National Park)
(1886 - 1918), Mammoth Hot Springs
Located on Beaver Creek, it was established to protect the National Park from poachers and vandals. Originally called Camp Sheridan until 1891 when permanent structures were erected. The last of Camp Sheridan's original log buildings burned down in 1964. The remaining buildings of Fort Yellowstone serve the Park's administration staff. The walking tour begins at the Albright Visitor Center, the former Bachelor Officers' Quarters.

Camp on the Snake River
(1879 - 1883), near Jackson ?
A Federal encampment on the Snake River.

Fort Bonneville
(1832), near Daniel
An independent trading post built by Capt. Benjamin Bonneville and 110 men under his command, just west of town on the west bank of the Green River about five miles above the mouth of Horse Creek, that was abandoned only a few months after construction was started due to severe winter weather. It was described as a square stockade with two blockhouses in diagonal corners, according to one source, but was probably only small crude log huts. Rival traders called it Fort Nonsense and Bonneville's Folly due to its "foolish" location and quick abandonment after so much time and labor was supposedly spent to construct it. The site may have been used by other traders until 1839. See also Archaeological Investigations at Fort Bonneville by David Vlcek, B.L.M.

Fort Piney
(unknown dates), Sublette County
A probable civilian fur trade post, located on (or a tributary of) North Piney Creek, northwest of Big Piney.

Fort Washakie
(Wind River Indian Reservation)
(1871 - 1909), Fort Washakie
Built to protect the reservation created for the Shoshone in 1868. It also guarded nearby mining settlements. The post was originally located in Lander and known as Camp Augur (1869) (aka Camp at Wind River Indian Agency), a subpost of Fort Bridger, and then renamed Camp Brown in 1870 as an independent post. A granite marker is at the original site in Lander on Main Street near Third Street. The post was moved in 1871 to its present location when the Indian Agency also moved. The fort was renamed in 1878 after Shoshone Chief Washakie, who was buried near here in 1900. Since 1913 the old fort itself has been used as the Shoshone Indian Agency headquarters. About a dozen of the original military buildings remain, including the Old Blockhouse, built in 1871, which was used by the Agency employees for protection from 1872 - 1876.

Camp McGraw
(1857 - 1858), Lander
Originally, or also, named Fort Thompson, several log cabins built as winter quarters for the Army engineers and surveyors building a wagon road to Oregon to bypass Utah and the Mormons. Possibly two distinct camps located adjacent to each other. William McGraw was the chief engineer for the road project. Site located two miles northeast of town on the Popo Agie River.

Baldwin's Trade Post
(1867 - 1869), Lander
A trading post built and operated by Major Noyes Baldwin, located on Baldwin's Creek. Abandoned but not destroyed. Reconstructed or restored, it is now operated by the Fremont County Pioneer Museum. The Army's Camp Augur was built nearby in 1869 (see above).

Camp Stambaugh
(1870 - 1878), Atlantic City
Four log barracks built by the Army to protect gold miners. Located in Smith's Gulch, three miles east of town.

Fort Aspen Hut
(1856 ?), near South Pass City
Located near the Overland/Oregon Trail south of town, east of the South Pass, near the "Burnt Ranch" site. Exact location has been lost to history. Col. Frederick Lander camped near the abandoned post in 1857 and established "Mile Post Zero" to begin the "Lander Cutoff" of the Oregon Trail, which opened to travelers in 1859.

South Pass Station
(1862 - 1868), near South Pass City
A fortified stage station on the Overland Trail. Commonly known as Burnt Ranch, it was also known as Upper Sweetwater Station. Originally built in 1857 by the Mormons as Gilbert's Station, it was burned shortly thereafter during the so-called "Mormon War" with the U.S. Army. Rebuilt in 1860 for the Pony Express, but burned again by Indians in 1861. Rebuilt again by the Army to protect the telegraph lines, officially known as Camp Highland, but usually referred to by its more common name.

St. Mary's Station
(1862 - 1868), Fremont County
A fortified telegraph station and former Pony Express station located just east of Rocky Ridge, several miles east of Atlantic City. Also known as Rocky Ridge Station. Garrisoned by Company G, 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry when it was attacked by Indians in May 1865. Rocky Ridge is located on B.L.M. managed public land.

Three Crossings Station
(1862 - 1868), near Jeffrey City
A fortified telegraph station located about six miles east of town, one mile northeast of the Three Crossings Pony Express station (1860). Attacked by Indians in May 1865.

Split Rock Station
(1862 - 1868), Natrona County
A fortified stage and telegraph station, and former Pony Express station, located near Split Rock on the Oregon Trail, about ten miles east of Jeffrey City near the present Fremont - Natrona county line.

NEED MORE INFO: Fort McHenry (date ? and location ?), Fort Piney (date ?), both possibly civilian trading posts. Federal Camp Pelouse River (1858) (location ?).
Fortress Mountain in Park County. Fortification Creek in northern Johnson County.

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