Fort Bridger State Historic Site, Wyoming
Nestled in the southwestern corner of Wyoming, where the high plains meet the foothills of the Uinta Mountains, lies Fort Bridger State Historic Site, a place where the echoes of westward expansion still resonate. More than just a collection of weathered buildings, it is a tangible link to the fur traders, pioneers, soldiers, and Native Americans who shaped the history of the American West. Established in 1843 by the legendary mountain man Jim Bridger and his partner Louis Vasquez, Fort Bridger began as a humble trading post and evolved into a vital crossroads, a military outpost, and a testament to the enduring spirit of the frontier.
The story of Fort Bridger begins with its founders, James "Jim" Bridger, a larger-than-life figure known for his ruggedness, knowledge of the wilderness, and captivating storytelling, and Pierre Louis Vasquez, a seasoned fur trader. Recognizing the strategic location along Black’s Fork of the Green River, they established a trading post intended to serve both the local Native American tribes and the increasing number of emigrants making their way west along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. The initial structure, a far cry from the imposing forts of popular imagination, consisted of two modest, double-log houses, each approximately 40 feet long. These were connected by a simple pen to contain horses, and a small blacksmith shop was added to provide essential services. This rudimentary establishment marked the humble beginnings of what would become a significant landmark in the westward movement.
The early years of Fort Bridger were characterized by a bustling, if somewhat chaotic, atmosphere. Emigrants, weary from months on the trail, often arrived with expectations of finding a well-established and comfortable haven. However, the reality of Fort Bridger was often a disappointment. Unlike the more developed Fort Laramie further east, Fort Bridger was a rough-and-ready outpost. Contemporary accounts paint a vivid picture of the fort’s initial appearance. Edwin Bryant, an emigrant who passed through in 1846, described the buildings as "two or three miserable log cabins, rudely constructed and bearing but a faint resemblance to habitable houses." Joel Palmer, another traveler, remarked on the fort’s construction of "poles and dabbed with mud," labeling it a "shabby concern." He further noted the presence of around 25 lodges occupied by trappers and their Native American wives, who traded skins, coats, and moccasins for essential supplies like flour, coffee, and sugar. These accounts reveal a pragmatic and unrefined establishment, reflecting the harsh realities of frontier life.
The relationship between Fort Bridger and the westward-bound emigrants was complex. While the fort provided a crucial resupply point and a place to repair wagons and rest livestock, the prices charged were often considered exorbitant, particularly by groups like the Mormon Pioneer Company, who arrived in 1847. This set the stage for future conflicts. As Mormon settlers began to establish communities near Fort Bridger, tensions escalated between Bridger and the newcomers. Accusations arose that Bridger was engaged in the illegal sale of alcohol and ammunition to Native Americans, a practice that threatened the delicate balance of power in the region and violated federal law.
These accusations reached Brigham Young, the leader of the Mormon community in Salt Lake City and also a federal Indian agent. Determined to put an end to the alleged illegal activities, Young dispatched a militia of 48 men to Fort Bridger in August 1853. However, Bridger received advance warning and managed to escape just before their arrival. The Mormon militia seized the fort, destroying a large quantity of liquor but failing to find any ammunition. This event marked a significant turning point in the history of Fort Bridger, signaling the beginning of Mormon involvement and the decline of Bridger’s direct control. In the same year, the Mormons further solidified their presence by establishing Fort Supply, a settlement located approximately 12 miles south of Fort Bridger, specifically intended to cater to the needs of Mormon emigrants.
Jim Bridger, feeling wronged and dispossessed, retaliated by writing a letter to U.S. Senator B.F. Butler in October 1853, alleging that he had been "robbed and threatened with death by the Mormons" and that over $100,000 worth of his goods and supplies had been stolen. This correspondence further fueled the escalating conflict. The following spring, Brigham Young sent a force of 15 armed men to seize control of Fort Bridger and the Green River ferries, which were considered vital to the Mormon settlement plan. The Mormon contingent constructed a large stone wall around the fort and erected several stone buildings, significantly improving its defensive capabilities.
The Mormons maintained control of Fort Bridger for approximately a year until Jim Bridger returned in July 1855. Observing the improvements made to the fort, the Mormons offered to purchase it from him. Initially, Bridger refused. However, under increasing pressure from the Mormon militia, he eventually relented and agreed to sell the fort for $8,000, with $4,000 paid immediately and the remaining balance to be paid in November 1856.
Amidst these local disputes, larger national events were brewing. The 1856 Presidential Election saw the Republican Party launch attacks against polygamy and slavery, issues that were particularly sensitive in the Utah Territory. Although Democrat James Buchanan, who also opposed polygamy, won the election, he viewed the dominance of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah as a violation of American principles. These tensions ultimately led to the "Utah War" of 1857-58, a period of heightened conflict between the U.S. government and the Mormon community. Ironically, despite the agreement, Jim Bridger never received the remaining $4,000 owed to him for the sale of his fort.
Fort Bridger became a strategic point of contention during the Utah War. In the fall of 1857, the U.S. Army, under the command of General Albert Sidney Johnston, marched across the plains with the intention of using Fort Bridger as a base from which to enter Utah Territory. However, before the Army could reach the fort, "Wild Bill" Hickman and his brother, acting under orders from Mormon leaders, burned both Fort Bridger and Fort Supply on the night of October 7 to prevent them from falling into the hands of the approaching federal troops. This act of arson left Johnston’s Army without adequate shelter and supplies, forcing them to endure a harsh winter while awaiting the spring thaw.
Although the Utah War did not involve significant battles between the Army and the Mormon militia, the destruction of property was extensive. During this period, the Mountain Meadows Massacre occurred in September 1857, in which over 100 California-bound settlers from Arkansas were killed by Mormon militia and local Paiute Indians. This tragic event further complicated the already strained relationship between the Mormons and the U.S. government. At the conclusion of hostilities, Brigham Young paid the remaining $4,000 owed for Fort Bridger during peace negotiations, believing that this secured Mormon ownership of the property. However, the government accepted the payment but refused to recognize Brigham Young’s claim to the fort or Jim Bridger’s continuing claims.
Instead, Fort Bridger was placed under the management of William Alexander Carter, who had arrived with Johnston’s Army as a sutler, or storekeeper. Carter rebuilt and restocked the fort, transforming it into a profitable enterprise. He became a highly respected member of the community, eventually earning the title of "Mr. Fort Bridger" and becoming Wyoming’s first millionaire.
During the Civil War, the garrison at Fort Bridger was reduced as soldiers were redeployed to the east. However, regular troops returned in 1866, utilizing the fort as a base of operations for southwestern Wyoming and northeastern Utah. The post played a crucial role in guarding stage routes and the transcontinental telegraph line, accommodating a Pony Express station, patrolling emigrant trails, taking action against Indian raids, protecting miners in the South Pass and Sweetwater region, and supplying workers building the Union Pacific Railroad to the north.
Treaties were signed at Fort Bridger with the Shoshone in 1863 and 1868, the latter creating a reservation east of the Wind River Mountains. Despite its strategic location, the fort was never used as a base for any major military expeditions against Native Americans in the region during the 1870s. The post was temporarily abandoned in 1878 but reactivated in 1880. It was finally abandoned by the military a decade later.
Jim Bridger continued to pursue his claim for payment for the fort until his death in July 1881. It was not until almost two decades later that his descendants finally received compensation when Congress appropriated $6,000 for the family. William Carter’s family continued to reside at Fort Bridger until 1928, when it was sold to the Wyoming Historical Landmark Commission for preservation.
Today, Fort Bridger State Historic Site stands as a well-preserved and maintained Wyoming State Park. Restoration efforts have been undertaken, including the 1884 barracks building, which now houses a museum. Visitors can explore the crumbling ruins of the commissary building and the old guardhouse, built in 1858. The 1884 "new" guardhouse, the 1858 sentry box, and the officer’s quarters are in better condition. Also standing are the sutler’s store, Pony Express stables, post office, a group of lesser buildings, and a portion of the wall constructed by the Mormons. The foundations of other buildings are marked. The cemetery contains the graves of Bridger’s daughter and Judge W. A. Carter. Portions of the original fort grounds and some buildings are located on privately owned property outside the State-owned area.
Fort Bridger is located south of I-80 at Exit 34, inviting visitors to step back in time and experience the rich history of the American West.
Contact Information:
Fort Bridger State Historic Site
PO Box 112
Fort Bridger, Wyoming 82933
307-782-3842