FORT BRIDGER, WYOMING: Everyone knows who Jim Bridger was, right—the famous, 19th-century frontiersman, fur trapper, and wilderness guide, who was among the first to visit the Yellowstone region and to explore the Great Salt Lake area, reaching it by bullboat in 1824. Jim left his mark on much of the American West.
My husband and I have done a lot of camping in the Uintahs and visited Fort Bridger a few times. And the mountains looking over Fort Bridger feature in some of my books, like Taming Jenna, Priscilla, Thalia, Cadence, and Ophelia. I especially enjoy attending the Mountain Man fair at Fort Bridger; lots of fascinating things to see and do, intriguing people in costume, demonstrations, and fabulous wares for sale.
Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez established Fort Bridger in 1843 on the Black’s Fork of the Green River to trade with the Native American tribes Jim had befriended over the years, and with westward-bound emigrants. The area, known as Bridger Valley, served as a crossroads for the Oregon/California Trail, the Mormon Trail, the Pony Express, the Transcontinental Railroad, and the Lincoln Highway.
Consisting of two, 40-foot-long, rude double-log houses, joined with a pen for horses, the first fort also boasted a blacksmith’s shop, which many emigrants welcomed after months on the trails. Some found the fort disappointing, poorly outfitted, and little more than a few rough-hewn log buildings.
On July 7, 1847, the Mormon Pioneer Company spent a day there but disliked the inflated prices. Still, a small group of them settled nearby, causing tensions between them and Bridger, who claimed he violated federal law by selling liquor and ammunition to the Indians. In response, Brigham Young, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a federal Indian agent, sent his Mormon militia to the fort in 1853. Knowing the militia’s reputation, Bridger fled. Later that year, the Mormons established Fort Supply, about 12 miles south of Fort Bridger, specifically to serve the Mormon emigrants.
Bridger complained to U. S. Senator Gen. B. F. Butler, claiming the Mormons robbed him of over $100,000 in goods and
supplies and threatened to kill him. The following spring, Young sent a detachment of well-armed Mormons to take control of both Fort Bridger and the Green River ferries, both of which became integral parts of the Mormon settlement plans for the region. Alterations included a thick stone wall around the fort. In July 1855, Bridger returned and agreed to sell to the Mormons.
Jim spent the next decade as a guide and an army scout in the early Indian wars. By 1868, Bridger’s rheumatism and failing eyesight sent him home to retire at his Westport farm, where he cared for his apple trees. He died at the age of 77 on July 17, 1881. After his first wife, a Flathead Indian, died in childbirth, and his second wife, a Ute, also died in childbirth, he married the daughter of Shoshone Chief Washakie. These three wives, however, managed to give Jim five children who lived.
In the fall of 1857, Jim’s old fort became embroiled in a new controversy when President Buchanan sent U.S. troops to Utah Territory to enforce federal authority and to install federally appointed territorial officers. This began what became known as the Utah War. To keep the fort from being seized, Mormon militia under “Wild Bill” Hickman and his brother burned both it and Fort Supply. Johnston’s army spent a miserable winter with little shelter and food.
Wikipedia says that in the winter of 1857, the army established temporary Camp Scott on the site. In the spring of 1858, tension between the Mormons and the U.S. military subsided. The army took over and rebuilt Fort Bridger as a base for troops whose later jobs included protecting laborers on the transcontinental railroad, gold miners at South Pass, and Shoshone Indians near the fort, and later, after the establishment of the reservation on Wind River.
When the Utah War ended, the U.S. government refused to honor either Bridger’s or the Mormons’ claim to the property. 
Instead, it turned the commercial parts of its operation over to William Alexander Carter, who had come west with Johnston’s army as a sutler. Along with his family, Carter lived at the fort, rebuilding and stocking it and eventually becoming Wyoming’s first millionaire.
Various volunteer units of the U.S. Army occupied the post during the Civil War. Regular army units manned the post from 1866 to 1878. It stood abandoned until the army occupied it from 1880 to 1890. At the end of the Indian Wars, the army closed it for good. Many buildings were sold and dismantled.
In 1993, the thirty-eight-acre site was named a Wyoming Historical Landmark and Museum. Parts of the 1850s Mormon stone wall have recently been the subject of archaeological explorations. Some restored buildings remain at the fort, along with a reconstructed trading post, an interpretive archaeological site, and a museum housing artifacts from the fort’s various periods of use. It is well worth visiting.
Have you been there? Tell me about it. I’m giving away a $10 Amazon gift certificate to one commenter and a copy of one of the ebooks mentioned in this blog to another commenter.
Let’s stay in touch!
Interesting history. I’ve never been to that part of Utah, but I was briefly in Utah years ago.
I wonder what part of Utah you saw when you were here. The state has a wide variety of evironments from high mountains to desert, and then there are the fantastical areas in southwestern Utah such as Brice, Zion canyon and the Red Rock Country. I’ve been all over the state with my husband, fishing, hunting and camping.
The southwestern part. My friend’s aunt drove us around when we visited Vegas.
No, I grew up on the East coast. Williamsburg/Jamestown were the reconstructed historic sites we toured. This one sounds interesting.
I saw a reconstructed town once when I visited Rhode Island. I think we went out of that state to see the historic site, though.
WOW how interesting! I didn’t know that the Mormons were such vicious people back when they started to emigrate to Utah. Thank you for sharing. No I’ve never been there.
Gentiles (what Mormons call non-mormons) hated them because of their belief in polygamy and gave them a bad time, so Mormons learned quickly to fight to practice their religion. When Brigham Young moved them all to Utah, he thought they would be left alone because it was so isolated and unpopulated so far (except for some mountain men and Indians, of course). He formed an army of his own to protect his people and what he considered his country. He’d hoped to see Utah be entirely Mormon and sent families to inhabit various areas, even in Arizona, Nevada, and Idaho. But he hadn’t counted on the gold rush that brought thousands of people to California and various places along the way. Many of those people traveled right through Utah to get to California.
I’ve never been to Utah, but I’d love to visit Ft. Bridger. This info was interesting! Of course, the way I mostly heard about Jim Bridger was from the Johnny Horton song!
I don’t remember that song. I’ll have to look it up and give a listen.
No, I’ve never been there personally only in reading. Sounds interesting though.
It is interesting and the countryside there is gorgeous with the Uintah mountains towering in the distance. I hope you get to visit someday.
I have never been there. The history was very interesting. I never knew that history of the Mormons.
The history of the Mormons is fascinating and few really know it. It amazes me how few Mormons really know their church’s history.
I have been to Utah more than once but not visited there that I remember!
I wonder just where you did go. This state is so varied in it’s countyside from towering mountains to desert.
I have been to Utah but didn’t make it to Fort Bridger. I wish I had.
Hey, Janice, how goes it? Where did you go when you came here? I’d love to know.
I’ve never been there but it sounds like somewhere I would love to visit.
Well, if you come give me a shout out. I live in the South portion of the Salt Lake Valley.
Welcome Charlene! I’ve read a lot about Jim Bridger and seen documentaries. No, I’ve never been.
Bridger is a fascinating man. I barely touched on all he did in his lifetime as you undoubtedly know. All the mountain men are interesting.
I have never been to that part of Utah but I shall add it to my list for next time.
There are a ton of places on Utah you should see, like Brice Canyon Zion Canyon and the Uintahs. The landscape here is so varied.
I’ve never traveled to Utah, but it’s fascinating to learn the history of a place/person.
I agree, Sabrina. Life is interesting and so full of interesting people and places.
Sounds interesting, but I’ve never been there.
You should come to Utah some day. I love to travel. My health has put a stop to it for me, but I’m thankful for all the traveling I did while I was able. I tell everyone to do it young because you don’t know what life and your health is going to do to your life and waiting only makes it more difficult.
Fascinating. I have never visited Utah.
Too bad. I wonder if I’ve been where you live.
I have never been there, but it sounds like it has an interesting history.
Yes, it does. There’s a ton of fascinating history here in the west.
I have not been there, the only information I have about Jim Bridger and Fort Bridger was from the series American Primeval.
If you watched American Primeval, you learned a bit about the Mormons too, I imagine. I didn’t see all of it but what I saw was excellent.
I loved this Charlene. Jim Bridger is a particular interest of mine
Well, I barely touched on his life really. There’s so much more to know.
I’ve never visited Utah.
I love your name, Minna. I hope you get a chance to visit Utah some day.
I have visited Utah but not that special place.
Wish I knew where you did get to go in Utah. You might have been in my neighborhood.
Never have visited, more of a homebody and prefer to stay close to home.
Oh, not me. I love to travel, meet people, see things. My health doesn’t let me now and I regret it immensely.
haven’t been
Too bad, bn100. You don’t know what you’re missing. especially if you’re a history buff.
I’ve never been but It’s on my bucket list for certain now!
Good. I wish you luck. If you get to the Salt Lake Valley, give me a wave.
Interesting article. We have been to Salt Lake City and the great Salt Lake but never to Ft Bridger. My husband is the history buff so will have to let him read your article. I know he will love it and probably “know all about it”. lol
Well, depending on how you traveled to Utah, you may have gone right past it. It’s right off one of the main thoroughfares through the country here.
No, I have never been to Ft. Bridger.
Have you been to Utah or Wyoming? Lots of beautiful countryside out here.
I have not been there, thank you for the giveaway opportunity!
Thank you for reading my post and commenting.
Interesting tidbits… thank you for sharing it with us!
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
Good afternoon, no I have never been to Fort Bridger, but it sounds very interesting to me. Thank you so much for sharing about it, it sounds like it would be a great place to visit. Have a great weekend and Thank you for joining us today. I am not entering the ebook giveaway as I am not tech savvy, but Thank you.
I don’t thing you need to be tech savvy to enter, Alicia. You left a comment. I think that automatically enters you. Glad you enjoyed the blog.
I so appreciate all the fascinating historical articles shared by you and the other authors! Thank you! I have visited the overall region but did not have time to see much other than the national parks (which are wonderful).
Yes, our national parks are fabulous, some so big and overwhelming they make spots like Fort Bridger that are in out of the way places seem minute. I hope you continue to travel. I’m a huge beliver in it.
Good Friday Afternoon Charlene,
I’ve never been to Fort Bridger, but love American history.
Thank you,
Julie Bullock
Hi, Julie. Thanks for reading my blog. Glad you liked it, and I’m glad you like American history. There’s so much to learn about it, I know I won’t have time in my life to see all I want to see or learn all I want to learn.
I’ve never been there. Your post was very interesting, thank you.
Thanks for reading it, Connie. I appreciate it and I’m glad you found it interesting.
No. I have never been there. I have never been to Wyoming. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
I hope you get to visit the area some day. Thanks for reading the blog and commenting.
No, I have never been there. I have actually never even left the east coast. It sounds interesting though.
Oh, my, you don’t know what you’re missing, Joannie. Of course I haven’t seen nearly enough of the east coast myself. I grew up on the west coast, but I’ve traveled to as many places as I could get to and hope to do more someday. I have visited NY, Maine, Boston and places like that. But I’ve missed a lot.
Fascinating bit of history. I don’t believe I ever knew of the “Utah War” but I did know the Mormans faced opposition wherever they went so I guess they developed a rough, warring way of life getting their utopia established. I think the fact that Bridges was not given a claim to his previous land and site is sad.
Yes, I agree, Vera. The Mormons were tough and fought hard to live as they wished to live and when they came to Utah, they fought hard to keep it to themselves. But they failed badly. Still, they have made Utah a unique place in this country. It’s more family-oriented here than other places I’ve lived, like California, And it is a shame what happened to Bridger. He built something good and was run off and cheated out of what he’d fought for.
Sorry to say I have not been to Fort Bridger. I have been to other parts of Wyoming which were very beautiful.
Yes, Wyoming is fun to visit. It’s like Utah in a way. It has towering montains and also desert.
Charlene!! Wow, I’m so happy you’re here! Great post. It’s very interesting. Can’t wait until you have a new one out. Hope you’re doing well. Wishing you much success!
As always, you are so sweet. I will have a new one out Mar 3, but it’s my romantic suspense. So far, everyone who’s read it love it. Wish me luck.
Never heard of this story before or heard of this guy good learn about him here never been to Utah either
I love learning new things, so I’m always finding interesting stories. Thanks for reading the blog.
I have never been there. The story was very interesting.
Thanks, Linda. I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for reading it.
Charlene, Thank you so much for the interesting post. We happened upon Fort Bridger maybe 20 years ago. We were on our way on a trip out west, headed for where I am not sure. We happened to see a sign/billboard for the Fort Bridger Mountain Man Rendezvous. It was something we had never heard of and definitely not a planned stop. It was wonderful. There were over 200 Teepees for venders and participants. There was just so much to see and shop for. They had a small demonstration of Native American dancing and other period things. It was not a good time to try and see the fort itself and some day I hope we get back to tour it. I am sure in that time they have done a lot to restore and improve it. We never did get a chance to learn much about the history of the area, although I was familiar with Jim Bridger and some of his history. Thank you for filling in the blanks.
So I envy you your visit to the redezvous. I went once many years ago but it sounds like the one you visited was much better and bigger. Glad you enjoyed the blog. Thanks for telling me about your trip.
Interesting history. Never been to Utah at all so I have never visited that part of it.
You’re missing some beautiful country. I hope you get to visit us someday. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I’ve lived in northern Utah all my life, so I knew a lot of this history. Jim Bridger spent a lot of time in Cache Valley (in the northeast part of Utah) which was actually named Cache Valley because Jim Bridger and other trappers cached a lot of their furs in the area. I’ve been to Ft. Bridger, Wyoming a few times. It’s an interesting place. I have some family members who live in that area.
Wow, Winnie. I’m glad to find someone from Utah here. I live in Sandy, in the southern end of the Salt Lake Valley. Ever been down this way? Are you an author? Check out my website and leave me a message.
I live in North Logan, about 25 minutes from Idaho. All three of my sons live in the SLC area, so yes, we definitely have been to Sandy. We lived in SLC for 30 years before my husband retired and we moved up here. I’m not an author. I’m a reader and do some reviewing.
Wow! Interesting! I have never been anywhere out west but I would love to see it all. Only problem I live in Virginia. I have never ridden in a plane before so I don’t know about that. Maybe one day.
No I have not been there. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity
Thanks for your post, Charlene! I’m actually a Mormon, myself, so I found this fascinating! We recently moved to Wyoming and we pass by the turn off to Fort Bridger all the time! I am a total history buff and my husband & I keep saying we are going to take that turn off soon!!! We are always on our way to visit my dad in Salt Lake so it just seem to be “the time” but soon we are going to schedule a day to take extra time to visit. I’ve wanted to visit this fort for years and didn’t actually know it was in Wyoming! I have known the history of it but not the actual location! Thanks again for the post! I now know more about it for when we go there!
No sadly I never been there, i definitely learned a lot from your article that I didn’t no anything about. Thank Charlene it was quite an interesting information about Fort Bridger and the man. You made me want go for a visit Utah and the fort. I’m from New England so i stay mostly on the east coast. thank you