There are so many abandoned places in Wyoming! This is a list of the top three abandoned places in Wyoming. Browse through all abandoned places in Wyoming
Fort Bridger State Historic Site is where the former trading post and Us Army post were situated. Fort Bridger as it was commonly known, was built by two friends Louis Vasquez and Jim Bridger to operate as a trading center. The fort would later become a military installation before it was abandoned and left to decay.
Fort Bridger was established in 1843 by 2 entrepreneurs, to serve as a trading post. Despite being used as a trading post for the local natives, the fort was mostly used by those traveling from Oregon Trail, Pony express, and other major highways and railroads. Fort Bridger was built with low-quality logs which didn't impress the locals and travelers who traded in the region. After 15 years of operations, the fort was bought by the US military and turned into a full-time US Army operational base and outpost.
In the midst of the 1850s, claims rose that the troops in the Fort were rogue and biased. The settlers complained of the troops selling liquor and ammunition to local hostile Indians. This ammunition that was sold to the highest Indian bidder would later be used to terrorize the Mormon community. Fed up with the troops' actions, the Mormon community organized a Militia to serve justice for its people. The Mormon Militia attacked the fort declaring war with the army troops. This would leave Fort Bridger burnt and supplies looted or destroyed. They also set ablaze three dozen army supply wagons. The war between the army and the Mormon community ended when the army overwhelmed the natives and the fort temporarily closed. Fort Bridger opened after two years for a while before it was rebuilt but not as a military installation. It was finally abandoned in 1890 and left to rot under the sun.
Fort Bridger was turned into a historic site under the name Fort Bridger State Historic Site. The 37 acres piece of land has more than 10 original structures and four historic replica structures that still stand to date. The Fort has various entertainment and mind-blowing recreational sites in the whole state of Wyoming. Guided tours, museum exhibits, and open archeological excavations are all permitted by the management of the site. Fort Bridger historic museum and park are open to the general public for visits. The fort was once an army installation with live ammunition and various explosives chemicals used in war and training. Traces of these toxic chemicals are still likely to be retained in the vast structure posing threat to the public especially children when they swallow or touch their eyes with contaminated hands.
Fort Laramie was a privately built fort in 1834 located in Goshen County, Wyoming. It served and changed roles from being a trading post, diplomatic site, military installation to finally a historical site.
Fort Laramie which by the time was called Fort William (in honor of the owner William Sublette) came into popularity in 1934 after its completion. William and his friend built the fort to act as a trading post of the vast region. Fort Laramie changed hands after a short period of its existence when it was bought by an American Fur company. The US Army later took over its ownership from the company, turning it into a permanent military reservation. This was done to protect wagon trains of migrants on the trail. The fort was a major stopping point for nonnatives traveling for trade. Though there were some major hostilities in the area, Fort Laramie did not take part in many battles. The only known war was during the civil war when troops from the fort were withdrawn to fight in the confederate army. It also served as a major staging area for the military during its operational days.
The fort had a successful run as a military installation until the late 1880s. When the transcontinental railroad was introduced, Fort Laramie lost a great deal of its significance since trains changed routes. Fewer trains were bound west, killing the robust trade that was once seen in the region. Fort Laramie was officially decommissioned in 1810 and the troops were sent to a nearby Fort Logan. After it was decommissioned, it would take 9 years of rejection before troops were seen again in the Fort. Troops and mechanics came back a second time to take all the valuables from the fort including doors and windows. The rest of the structures were auctioned to the general public.
In 1983, Fort Laramie was declared a historical site. Most of the buildings were demolished leaving only one structure that still stands to date. Although most of the extensive property of the fort was sold to the public, all the regions including the old sold pieces of land are under Fort Laramie Historic District. All the ruins of the site are under National Park Services. Fort Laramie National Historic Site is open to the general public for tours. The fort has been used by several film and gaming industries as a filming venue. Movies like White Feathers were shot at the fort. Fort Laramie State Historic Site is open for tours, hikes, camping, and many other recreational activities. A fee is charged at some sections of the Fort.
Jeffrey City in Fremont, Wyoming is one of the mining towns that went down as first as it was established. The town which was formerly called, home of the range, started as a home for retired vets and later on a fully flagged town that would later be deserted.
Jeffrey City was established in 1954 when a man by the name of Bob Adams discovered uranium in the region. Adams would a year later establish a uranium company. The company did so well and by 1957, Adams signed a treaty with the government as their supplier of uranium. Dr. Charles Jeffrey, who the city was named after, would later come into the picture to help Adam in the construction of accommodation for the workers at the mines. Charles was the major financier who highly contributed to the development of the town. Over the years, the town became a full pledge town with almost all the amenities a town required. The ‘City’ in the name was sarcasm by the locals and the neighboring communities as the town did not attain the city status.
In 1979, the town of Jeffrey faced challenging days when the government issued a statement to all nuclear plants to retrofit all their nuclear plants. Other nuclear plants were put on hold when they failed to follow the directives. The effects of this declaration saw a major reduction in the profit of the mines. Over the years, workers at the mill were laid off leading to only 50 workers by 1982. The mill officially closed its doors in 1982. The population reduced from 4000 people to less than 70 people. The school was closed the same year rendering the town a partial ghost town. Official closure came when the post office in the town was shut down and relocated to other active town centers. The government partially neglected the town as none of its services were ever directed to the town.
Today few institutions still remain in the town though the population is less than 40 people. Old abandoned and deteriorated buildings still linger in the town to date. Pavements in the town are currently deserted with grass and cracks dominating them. It still has few residents who reside in the area and an elementary school that was reported to be active. The town of Jeffrey is the best example of the heyday towns that were once vibrant but just lost significance within a very short period. The town is not privately owned and the public can visit the town to have a glimpse of history at any given time.