Fort Laramie National Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Laramie National Historic Site |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Location in Wyoming
Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Goshen County, Wyoming, USA |
| Nearest city | Torrington, Wyoming |
| Area | 833 acres (337 ha) |
| Established | March 4, 1931 |
| Visitors | 46,455 (in 2005) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Fort Laramie National Historic Site |
|
Fort Laramie National Historic Site
|
|
| Nearest city | Fort Laramie, Wyoming |
| Area | 536 acres (217 ha) |
| Built | 1834 |
| Built by | US Army Corps of Engineers |
| Architect | US Army Corps of Engineers |
| Architectural style | Lime grout construction |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000755 |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
Fort Laramie was a very important place in the 1800s. It started as a trading post for furs. Later, it became a key military base. It was located where the Laramie River and the North Platte River meet in eastern Wyoming.
The fort was first called Fort William. It was built in the 1830s to help with the fur trade. In 1849, the United States Army bought it. Fort Laramie became a popular stop for people traveling west. Many pioneers used the Oregon Trail, California Trail, and Mormon Trail. These trails passed right by the fort. It was a major center for trade and business in the region.
Today, the remaining buildings are protected as the Fort Laramie National Historic Site by the National Park Service.
History of Fort Laramie
How Fort Laramie Got Its Name
Around 1815, a trapper named Jacques La Ramee lived in this area. He disappeared in 1819 or 1820. The river was named "Laramie" in his honor. Later, the nearby mountains, the fort, and two towns also took the name Laramie.
Fort Laramie's Fur Trade Days
The first fort was built around 1833 or 1834 by William Sublette. The fur trade was still very busy back then.
The fort was built in a great spot. It was near two rivers, which helped protect it. It was also easy for travelers to cross the North Platte River nearby. This made it a perfect stopping point for pioneers heading west. It was about a quarter of the way to California or Oregon on the famous Oregon Trail.
William Sublette was an early owner. The fort was called Fort William. In 1841, it was sold to the American Fur Company. They changed the name to Fort John. This was to honor John B. Sarpy, a partner in the company. As more people traveled west, the U.S. Army also started using the fort. The name "Fort Laramie" slowly became common. It was a shorter way to say "Fort John at the Laramie River."
The fort was located just before the mountains. This area had large grassy plains. Travelers could rest their animals here. They could also set up camps, wash clothes, and get ready for the tough journey ahead.
Another fort, Fort Bernard, was built nearby in 1845. It tried to get some of the pioneer trade. But Fort Bernard burned down in 1866. Soon after, the First transcontinental railroad was finished. Train travel became popular, and fewer people used the overland trails.
Fort Laramie as an Army Post
In June 1849, the United States Army bought the fort for $4,000. The Army wanted to protect and supply the many pioneers traveling west. Thousands of gold seekers, settlers, and Mormons passed by the fort each year. Travelers would stop for days to send letters, buy supplies, or trade animals.
In 1851, the first Treaty of Fort Laramie was signed. This helped create peace between settlers and Native Americans for a while. However, there were still some conflicts. In 1854, a small group of soldiers from the fort was killed in an incident called the Grattan massacre. During the 1860s, the fort became more focused on military actions.
Fort Laramie was never seriously attacked by Native Americans. But some civilians in the area were killed or had their property stolen. The last known death happened in 1877.
Fort Laramie During the Civil War (1861–1865)
When the American Civil War started in 1861, many soldiers at Fort Laramie were sent east to fight. Volunteer soldiers took their place. Some of these were "Galvanized Yankees." These were Confederate prisoners of war who joined the Union Army.
Fort Laramie and Red Cloud's War (1866–1868)
In 1866, a man named John "Portuguese" Phillips rode 236 miles to Fort Laramie. He rode through a blizzard to get help for Fort Phil Kearny. His unit had been attacked by the Sioux under Red Cloud.
In the late 1860s, Fort Laramie was the main base for the U.S. Army during Red Cloud's War. In 1868, a peace agreement was made. This was called the second Treaty of Fort Laramie.
The Great Sioux War (1876–1877)
Gold was discovered in the Black Hills. This led to more conflict with the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne. The United States had promised these lands to the Sioux. But miners moved in, and fighting started. Fort Laramie was a major supply point for troops during this war.
Fort Laramie's Final Years
After the First transcontinental railroad was finished, Fort Laramie became less important. Fewer wagon trains traveled west. Also, conflicts with Native Americans became less frequent. The fort was officially closed in 1890.
In March 1890, soldiers removed anything valuable from the buildings. The last soldiers left on April 20, 1890. Most of the buildings were sold to private citizens. The land around the fort was opened for settlers in 1891.
Fort Laramie Today
Today, the Fort Laramie National Historic Site covers 536 acres. It has many historic buildings, ruins, and sites. There are 13 standing buildings and 11 standing ruins. These remains help us understand the history of Fort Laramie.
Fort Laramie in Movies
- The movie White Feather (1955) features Fort Laramie.
- Fort Laramie is important in the book Centennial (novel) by James A. Michener and its TV show.
Fort Laramie in Games
- Fort Laramie is a stop in The Oregon Trail computer game series.
- Fort Laramie was an ally in the game Age of Empires III: The War Chiefs.
