Fort Bridger State Historic Site
Personal Notes
This page contains our personal notes on our visit to the Fort Bridger State Historic Site in Wyoming.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Over the years, as we've traveled east and west on Interstate 80, we have noted the signs directing us toward Fort Bridger. As a student of western history, I have known the story of the site, and its importance to the mountain men, the various overland trails, and 49ers. I've always commented that some day we need to stop and take a look around, not expecting much more than a few sun faded signs and perhaps a tattered, weathered building or two. On a trip to Rock Springs, Wyoming we finally stopped, and were impressed with what we found.
What we found is a well organized and professionally maintained historic site with numerous reconstructed and preserved buildings, an equal number of informational signs, and a brochure with a detailed map of the the site. The entrance fee for out of state visitors is $4.00 per person, which is not much considering what we saw and learned. There is a gravel parking area, a shady picnic area with tables, grills, and modern restrooms. There is a boardwalk near some of the buildings, and paved or compacted dirt in other areas. A nice stream flows through the center of the site, and there are benches where one can sit and relax and contemplate what and who passed this way.
One of the buildings has been converted into a nice museum displaying old clothes, household items, military equipment, and other tools and essentials of the fur trapping and military life in this region. A bit farther along, and hidden from most of the grounds, is a reconstructed fort much like that built and used by Jim Bridger and his partner. There is a gift shop in both the museum and the old fort.
There are a few docents here and there to answer questions and explain what you're seeing, but there is no pressure, and one can stroll around as slow or as fast as suits the time you have. We spent about two hours there, between lunch and our tour, and enjoyed every minute of the time.
The site is only three miles south of I-80, and the picnic area alone is worth the few minutes drive and provides a nice place to eat and stretch your legs and learn a bit more of our county's pioneer history.
The day we were there was warm and breezy, but comfortable under the shade the the many tall trees, even at 87 degrees.
