Fort Bridger, Wyoming facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fort Bridger, Wyoming
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Location in Uinta County and the state of Wyoming
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 Fort Bridger, Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Wyoming |
| County | Uinta |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.0 sq mi (5.2 km2) |
| • Land | 2.0 sq mi (5.2 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 6,674 ft (2,034 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 345 |
| • Density | 173/sq mi (66.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
82933
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| Area code(s) | 307 |
| FIPS code | 56-27940 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1588631 |
Fort Bridger is a small community in Uinta County, Wyoming, United States. It is known as a census-designated place, which means it's a special area defined for collecting census data. In 2010, about 345 people lived here. The community gets its name from the historic Fort Bridger, which was built nearby in 1842.
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History of Fort Bridger
Fort Bridger was started in 1843 by two explorers, Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez. It was built as a trading post. This was a very important stop for people traveling west. Many different groups used the fort. These included pioneers on the Oregon Trail, Mormon pioneers, and even riders for the Pony Express. Later, the Lincoln Highway and the transcontinental railroad also passed through this area. The fort was also a place where people traded with local Native Americans.
The original fort was not fancy. Travelers often found it disappointing. It was mainly two log cabins, each about 40 feet (12 meters) long. These cabins were connected by a fence that held horses. Visitors sometimes complained that supplies were hard to find or cost too much. However, the fort did have a blacksmith's shop. Many travelers found this very useful for repairs.
By 1858, Fort Bridger became a military outpost. Today, Fort Bridger is a special historic site. You can visit a reconstructed version of Jim Bridger’s original trading post. There are also other old buildings from the military era. The site has a museum and gift shops for visitors to enjoy.
Geography of Fort Bridger
Fort Bridger is located in Wyoming. It sits at coordinates 41 degrees 19 minutes 7 seconds North and 110 degrees 23 minutes 11 seconds West.
The community covers a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no water.
Education in Fort Bridger
Kids in Fort Bridger get their public education from the Uinta County School District #4. This school district has two main campuses. Younger students attend Mountain View K–8, which teaches grades kindergarten through eighth grade. Older students go to Mountain View High School, which serves grades nine through twelve.
Events in Fort Bridger
- Fort Bridger Rendezvous: This is an annual event. People reenact the old trading days at the fort. It's a fun way to see what life was like long ago.
Notable People from Fort Bridger
- Jim Bridger — He was a famous explorer. He was also the person who founded Fort Bridger.
- Ron Micheli — He is a rancher. He also served as a politician in Wyoming.
