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Historic Sites in Wyoming
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Connor Battlefield State Historic Site
Here you can walk in the footsteps of Arapaho Leader Black Bear,
as he viewed his camp on the Tongue River. You can learn about
General Patrick Connor's attack on Black Bear's village. This
can be done while you picnic, camp in the shade of magnificent
Cottonwoods or fish in the trout filled Tongue River. For
information call: (307)684-7629
Fort Fetterman State Historic Site
A restored officer's quarters and an ordnance warehouse are
original buildings. They stand among the many visible
foundations of the Fort and Fetterman City. These two buildings
house interpretive exhibits and artifacts of the Fort's history,
Fetterman City, and its Indian predecessors. The visitor is
encouraged to walk the grounds where interpretive signs describe
the Fort's buildings and activities. These two buildings house
maps, drawings, photographs, artifacts, and dioramas which
interpret the history of the Indians, Military, and Civilians of
Fort Fetterman and Fetterman City. The visitor is encouraged to
walk the interpretive trail where signs describe the historic
site and lead to a Gazebo overlooking Crook's Camp and the
Indian Country to the north. The site provides several picnic
areas and a shelter for group or individual use. For information
call: (307)684-7629
Historic Governors' Mansion
The Historic Governors' Mansion is located in Cheyenne, WY. This
site has many programs available to the visitor. Visitors can
take guided tours or if you wish you can explore the facility on
your own. A video is shown to all visitors for an overview.
Physically challenged people have the option of watching a
virtual tour on video. A closed caption video is also available.
There are no fees at the Historic Governors' Mansion, however,
donations are certainly welcome. Please enjoy your virtual visit
to the Historic Governors' Mansion and enjoy wonderful Wyoming
as well. For information call: (307)777-7878
Independence Rock State Historic Site
The initial movement of the Mormons from Nauvoo, Illinois, to
the Valley of the Great Salt Lake occurred in two segments - one
in 1846 and one in 1847. The first leg of the journey across
Iowa to the Missouri River covered around 265 miles. The second
leg, from the Missouri River to the Valley of the Great Salt
Lake covered about 1,032 miles. The second leg of the journey
began on April 5, 1847 and ended on July 24, 1847. This part of
the trip went smoother than the previous year's journey due to
better organization, better provisions and beginning when the
trail conditions were optimal. The lead pioneer party left with
148 people (143 men, 3 women and 2 young boys), 72 wagons, 93
horses, 66 oxen, 52 mules, 19 cows, 17 dogs, and some chickens.
This hand-picked group was organized into two large divisions
and further split into companies of 50 and 10. This
organizational structure was based on Brigham Young's plan for
migrating west and included details on camp behavior and
devotional practices to be followed. At Fort Laramie the Mormons
crossed to the south side of the river and joined the Oregon
Trail. At Fort Bridger State Historic Site, they struck out on
their own and followed the faint year-old tracks of the
ill-fated Donner-Reed party. The last 116 miles took 14 days to
complete and were very demanding due to difficult terrain, weary
travelers, worn wagons and weakened livestock. Upon arriving at
the Valley, this first party began planting late crops, laying
out streets, building shelters and preparing for winter. Mormon
emigrants continued to arrive during the remaining weeks of
summer and fall. Approximately 1,650 people spent their first
winter in the valley. The next 20 years would see about 70,000
Mormons traveling by wagon and handcarts over the Mormon Pioneer
Trail. For information call: (307)577-5150
Fort Fred Steele State Historic Site
Fort Fred Steele was established June 20, 1868 and occupied
until August 7, 1886 by soldiers who were sent by the U.S.
Government to guard the railroad against attack from Indians.
The construction of the transcontinental Union Pacific Railroad
across southern Wyoming in 1867-1896, in turn, brought the
cattlemen and sheepherders, loggers and tie hacks, miners and
merchants who changed a wasteland into the Wyoming Territory.
After the fort was abandoned, a sparse population of civilians
remained at what would be known only as Fort Steele. Prospering
briefly as a logging center, large amounts of logs were floated
own the North Platte from the Medicine Bow and Sierra Madre
Mountains to this small community where they were turned into
railroad ties and fence posts. Later, a major sheep sheering
plant was established at the town of Fort Steele to remove the
animals' wool made thick and rich by the harsh Wyoming winters.
The railway that passed through the community facilitated
shipment of those bales to the east where the raw goods were
processed and woven into fashionable garments for men and women.
For information call: (307)320-3013
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