Platte River Crossing facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Platte River Crossing
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 Location in Wyoming
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| Nearest city | Saratoga, Wyoming |
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| Area | 12.5 acres (5.1 ha) |
| Built | 1849 |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000885 |
| Added to NRHP | August 12, 1971 |
The Platte River Crossing, also known as Bennett's Crossing, is an important historical spot in Carbon County, Wyoming. It's where the famous Overland Trail crossed the North Platte River. This place was special because it had a natural "ford," which is a shallow part of a river that people and wagons could cross easily. There was even an island in the middle of the river, making the crossing even simpler.
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A Historic River Crossing
This natural crossing was used for a very long time. Long before European explorers arrived, Native American tribes used this ford to cross the river. It was a well-known and safe place to get to the other side.
Early Explorers and Settlers
The first Europeans to use the Platte River Crossing were members of a fur-trading group led by William Henry Ashley in 1825. Later, in 1843, the explorer John C. Frémont also used this spot. In 1850, another explorer named Howard Stansbury camped here. He noticed signs that Native Americans had recently been camping nearby.
The Busy Overland Trail
By 1861, when the Overland Stage Line started operating, many people were already using this crossing. The Overland Trail was a major route for pioneers and travelers heading west across America. This crossing was a vital stop for them.
A Ferry and a Railroad
As more people traveled, a man named Ed Bennett started a ferry service at the crossing. This made it even easier and safer for people to get across the river. Because of his ferry, the place became known as Bennett's Crossing. However, the crossing eventually stopped being used for travel. In 1868, the Union Pacific Railway built its train tracks through the area. Trains became the new way to travel, and the old river crossing was no longer needed.
Remembering the Past
Today, the Platte River Crossing is a protected historical site. A stone monument marks the spot on a small piece of land that was given to the State of Wyoming in 1933. Not far from the monument, there is a small cemetery. It holds the graves of eight people who died in the 1860s, likely pioneers or travelers from the Overland Trail days.
Because of its important history, the Platte River Crossing was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 12, 1971. This means it's recognized as a special place that helps us understand the history of the United States.
