Fort Fred Steele, Wyoming – Abandoned But Not Forgotten
Fort Fred Steele, Wyoming, stands as a poignant reminder of the American West’s tumultuous past. Established in 1868 amidst the feverish expansion of the Union Pacific Railroad, the fort played a crucial role in securing the railway’s construction and safeguarding the burgeoning settlements that sprung up in its wake. Though now largely abandoned, the site continues to resonate with echoes of soldiers, settlers, and the indigenous peoples whose lives were forever altered by the relentless march of progress. Its story is one of ambition, conflict, and the enduring spirit of a land grappling with its destiny.
The story of Fort Fred Steele begins with the ambitious undertaking of the Union Pacific Railroad. As the iron rails snaked their way across the vast expanse of the American West, they cut through territories traditionally inhabited by Native American tribes. This incursion inevitably led to conflict, as indigenous populations resisted the encroachment upon their hunting grounds and way of life. To protect the railroad workers and the vital supply lines, the U.S. Army established a series of forts along the railway route.
On June 20, 1868, Colonel Richard Dodge selected a strategic location on the west bank of the North Platte River to establish a new military post. He named it Fort Fred Steele, in honor of Major General Frederick Steele, a distinguished Civil War hero. The initial construction was rudimentary, consisting primarily of tents and temporary structures. However, the fort quickly evolved as some 300 troops and hired civilians were tasked with constructing a more permanent and substantial installation.
The landscape surrounding Fort Fred Steele began to transform as the fort grew. A sawmill was established to provide lumber, and soon, the familiar hallmarks of a frontier community began to emerge. Blacksmiths, saddlers, wheelwrights, and merchants established their businesses, catering to the needs of the soldiers and the growing civilian population. A sutler’s store offered a variety of goods, from essential supplies to coveted luxuries. Barracks provided housing for the enlisted men, while officers enjoyed more spacious and comfortable quarters. Most of the buildings were constructed of wood cut from Elk Mountain. The area was teeming with activity.
The presence of the railroad and Fort Fred Steele acted as a magnet, attracting a diverse array of individuals seeking opportunity in the expanding West. Cattlemen drove their herds across the open ranges, sheepherders sought grazing lands for their flocks, loggers harvested timber from the surrounding forests, miners prospected for valuable minerals, and merchants established businesses to serve the growing population. A small community blossomed around the fort, transforming the landscape from a remote outpost to a bustling hub of activity.
However, the peace was often fragile, and the shadow of conflict loomed large. In September 1879, tensions flared in northern Colorado as the Ute Indians, angered by the intrusion of prospectors onto their lands, began to create disturbances. Major Thomas T. Thornburgh, then commanding Fort Fred Steele, received orders to quell the uprising.
Thornburgh and his men set out towards the White River Indian Agency in Rio Blanca County, Colorado. Unbeknownst to them, the Ute had already burned the agency’s buildings and killed Indian Agent Nathan C. Meeker and nine employees in what became known as the Meeker Massacre on September 29, 1879. That very day, Thornburgh’s forces arrived on the northern edge of the Ute Reservation and were ambushed by the Native Americans. Major Thomas T. Thornburgh and thirteen of his soldiers were killed in the initial assault. The subsequent Battle of Milk Creek lasted for several days, eventually subduing the Ute Indians.
The construction of the Union Pacific Railroad significantly boosted the timber industry in southern Wyoming, with a sawmill established on the east side of the North Platte River by Coe and Carbon. This company played a vital role in supplying the lumber necessary for the construction and maintenance of Fort Fred Steele until 1886.
With the completion of the railroad and the gradual pacification of the Native American tribes in the region, the strategic importance of Fort Fred Steele diminished. Though soldiers continued to patrol the area, especially to protect the crucial railroad bridge spanning the North Platte River, the need for a large military presence waned. In 1886, the War Department officially deactivated Fort Fred Steele on August 7th.
The troops were transferred to other military installations, and a somber task began: the relocation of the remains interred in the post cemetery. The vast majority of the bodies were exhumed and reburied at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Nebraska. Among those who were initially laid to rest at Fort Fred Steele were 80 people who had lived and worked in and around the fort, including one officer, 24 soldiers, eight children, two wives, and 45 unknowns or civilians. Today, the cemetery at Fort Fred Steele contains only a few scattered remains and broken markers, serving as a poignant reminder of those who lived and died on the frontier.
Despite the departure of the soldiers, the small settlement that had grown around Fort Fred Steele persevered, finding new life as a logging center. The sawmill continued to operate, providing employment and sustaining the local economy. However, this period of prosperity was relatively short-lived.
In 1892 and 1893, most of the buildings were sold at public auction and dismantled or moved from the fort site. In 1894, the remaining buildings and the land were acquired by the Cosgriff Brothers, who transformed the area into a vast sheep ranching operation.
The Cosgriffs established large herds in the area, and in 1903, they constructed one of the largest sheep-shearing plants in Wyoming. In 1905, the operation shipped over 800,000 pounds of wool to Boston, marking the single largest shipment of wool ever sent out of Wyoming.
The Carbon Timber Company eventually acquired the sawmill, and in 1909, the company floated over 1.5 million timbers down the North Platte River. The remains of the Carbon Timber Company can still be seen across the river.
In 1915, the Cosgriffs sold their land, including the site of the old fort, to L.E. Vivion, another prominent sheep owner. A house, lean-to, and shed that were once part of the operation still stand as a testament to this era.
The small settlement surrounding Fort Fred Steele experienced a brief resurgence with the arrival of the Lincoln Highway, the nation’s first transcontinental highway, which passed through the town between 1920 and 1939. Some of the old barracks and other buildings at Fort Fred Steele were repurposed as gasoline stations, cafes, and motels to cater to the needs of travelers. The largest hotel, housed in an old military barracks building, contained 22 rooms. Unfortunately, it burned down in November 1923.
Until its rerouting, the Lincoln Highway took motorists straight through the middle of Fort Fred Steele. However, in 1939, U.S. 30 was re-routed and paved a few years later at its present location near I-80. This shift in transportation patterns dealt a significant blow to the town, as commercial activity dwindled and the population declined rapidly. The onset of World War II and the decline of the timber industry further sealed the fate of the town, delivering a final blow from which it never recovered.
In 1973, the Wyoming State Legislature recognized the historical significance of the site and created the Fort Fred Steele State Historic Site.
Today, visitors to the site of Fort Fred Steele can walk along an interpretive trail and explore the remnants of this once-thriving frontier post. Among the surviving structures are two large warehouses, the officer’s quarters, and the powder magazine, the only fully intact building remaining. A couple of wooden buildings also stand, along with the remains of the cemetery. These remnants offer a glimpse into the lives of the soldiers, settlers, and laborers who shaped the history of this remote corner of Wyoming.
Fort Fred Steele, Wyoming, may be abandoned, but it is far from forgotten. It stands as a silent sentinel, a tangible link to the past, inviting visitors to reflect on the complex and often contradictory forces that shaped the American West.