Cantonment Reno facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cantonment Reno
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Site of Cantonment Reno on Sussex Road
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 Location in Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Location | Johnson County, East of Sussex on west side of Powder River |
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| Nearest city | Sussex, Wyoming |
| Area | 640 acres (260 ha) |
| Built | 1877 |
| Architectural style | Fort |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001382 |
| Added to NRHP | July 29, 1977 |
Cantonment Reno was an important US Army post, or temporary fort, located in Wyoming. It was built near the Powder River and the old Bozeman Trail. This area was once home to an earlier fort called Fort Reno (Wyoming), which was left empty and burned after a peace agreement in 1868.
Cantonment Reno was set up again in late 1876. It was a temporary base for General George Crook's "Big Horn Expedition." This expedition was part of a big campaign against the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes. It happened after Custer's defeat at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
Contents
Building a Military Post
The construction of Cantonment Reno started on October 14, 1876. Workers finished building the post by December 19, 1876. The materials, like doors, windows, and wood, cost about $931.91.
Most of the building work was done by US Army troops. Civilian workers also helped and were paid an extra $170.00. The post had many buildings, including a storehouse and two storage cellars. There were also 19 barracks huts for soldiers.
Other important buildings included a hospital and a mess hall with a kitchen. Nine huts were built for officers. The post also had a shed, a corral for animals, and a hut for teamsters. A blacksmith's shop and a bakery completed the fort. In total, there were 42 structures. A wooden bridge was built across the river in March and April 1877.
One of the doctors at the fort described the hospital. He said it was a log hut, 14 by 16 feet in size. It served as both a patient ward and a place to prepare medicines. The floor was dirt, and the roof was covered with dirt. It had five small windows and one door. A stove was used to heat the room when needed.
Fort McKinney 1: A New Name
On November 25, 1876, a part of General Crook's army attacked a Cheyenne village. This village, known as "Dull Knife's village," was on the Red Fork of the Powder River. The army surprised the Cheyenne people. They drove men, women, and children out into very cold weather and snow.
This battle is called the Dull Knife Fight. Cantonment Reno helped by providing supplies for the attack. It also gave basic care to the soldiers who were hurt. Lieutenant John A. McKinney was one of the 25 American soldiers who died in this fight.
In May 1877, some soldiers from the Fifth Cavalry set up a camp. This camp was on Clear Creek, near where Buffalo, Wyoming is today. On June 16, 1877, the officer in charge named this camp "Camp McKinney." This was to honor Lieutenant McKinney.
However, this camp was only temporary. The army headquarters did not officially recognize the name. This temporary camp later grew into Fort McKinney (Wyoming), which is also known as Fort McKinney 2. This fort was located near Buffalo.
Around the same time, the commander of Cantonment Reno asked for his post to be renamed. He wanted it called "Cantonment or Camp McKinney." This was because mail for Cantonment Reno was getting mixed up with mail for Fort Reno (Oklahoma). On August 30, 1877, the War Department officially renamed Cantonment Reno as Fort McKinney.
This led to a lot of confusion over the years. People often mixed up Fort McKinney 1 (which was Cantonment Reno) and Fort McKinney 2 (the fort near Buffalo).
Leaving the Fort Behind
By 1878, Cantonment Reno faced problems. It was running low on wood, animal feed, and water. After careful study, the army decided to move the post. They chose a new location 45 miles northwest. This new site was on the Clear Fork of the Powder River. It was on high ground just north of the Clear Fork, about two miles west of present-day Buffalo, Wyoming. This new location became Fort McKinney (Wyoming).
By the end of 1878, the army had left Cantonment Reno, also known as Fort McKinney 1. Only a small group of soldiers stayed behind. Their job was to look after the supply depot and fix the telegraph line. Doors, window frames, and other hardware were taken from the old fort. These items were used to build the new post on Clear Fork. This left only the empty shells of the old buildings.
On December 10, 1878, Major Verling K. Hart, the commander at the new Fort McKinney, suggested something important. He recommended that a section of land at the old post be kept as a campground. Because of this, the land where Cantonment Reno once stood is still owned by the public today.
Powder River Crossing Settlement
On May 13, 1879, the commander of Fort McKinney gave permission to a "Mr. Freron." He was allowed to open a store and an eating house at the abandoned sutler's store at Cantonment Reno. A sutler's store was like a general store at a military post. "Mr. Freron" was actually Moreton Frewen, an English rancher in the area.
The three soldiers who were taking care of the cantonment left in late 1879. Civilians then took over running the telegraph operations. In January 1880, the Rock River Stage Company got permission to move one of the log stables. They moved it across the Powder River. This was the start of a new settlement. It became known as Powder River Crossing.
What Remains Today
The Cantonment Reno site covers one square mile. Its borders are the same as the old McKinney Military Reservation. The site is located on County Road 76. It is five miles north of the intersection with Wyoming Highway 192. This is about twenty miles east of Kaycee, Wyoming.
Today, none of the original structures of the cantonment remain standing. However, you can still see shallow dips in the ground. These depressions are evidence of where the buildings once stood. Over time, many structures and artifacts were removed from the site. You can still find small pieces of metal, wood, and glass scattered around. These are reminders of what was once there. Even as late as 1962, many items were taken from this historic site. The Bureau of Land Management now manages and protects the site.
