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.

Rise of Fort Bridger?

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.

Closure and desertion

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.

State of the fort today

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.