Fort Fred Steele, a crucial frontier outpost in southern Wyoming, was established on June 20, 1868. Its primary mission was to protect the industrious men building the Union Pacific Railroad from potential attacks by various Native American tribes. Situated strategically on the west bank of the North Platte River, the site was carefully chosen by Colonel Richard Dodge and named in honor of Major General Frederick Steele, a distinguished hero of the Civil War.
Initially, Fort Fred Steele began as a rudimentary tent city, a temporary encampment for the soldiers assigned to its construction. However, with approximately 300 troops dedicated to the task, along with additional civilian hires, the post quickly evolved. Essential facilities like a sawmill, engineer’s shop, blacksmith, saddler, and wheelwright were erected, alongside barracks, officer’s quarters, and a sutler’s store. Most of these buildings were constructed using timber sourced from nearby Elk Mountain, laying the foundation for a burgeoning community that soon attracted cattlemen, sheepherders, loggers, miners, and merchants to the area.
Frontier Conflicts and the Meeker Massacre
Life at Fort Fred Steele was not without its challenges, deeply intertwined with the volatile frontier environment. A significant event occurred in September 1879, when Major Thomas T. Thornburgh was in command. Tensions flared in northern Colorado as Ute Indians, angered by encroaching prospectors on their ancestral lands, instigated disturbances. Major Thornburgh and his troops were ordered to quell the unrest and marched towards the White River Indian Agency in Rio Blanca County, Colorado.
Tragically, before Thornburgh’s arrival, the Ute had already burned the agency buildings and killed Indian Agent Nathan C. Meeker and nine employees on September 29, 1879, an event known as the Meeker Massacre. On the very same day, as Thornburgh and his men reached the northern edge of the Ute Reservation, they were ambushed. Major Thomas T. Thornburgh and 13 of his soldiers were killed in the sudden assault. In the ensuing week, a fierce retaliation known as the Battle of Milk Creek took place, ultimately leading to the subduing of the Ute Indians and highlighting the dangerous realities of military life on the frontier.
Economic Impact and Post-Military Life
The construction of the Union Pacific Railroad profoundly stimulated the growth of the timber industry in southern Wyoming. A sawmill, operated by Coe and Carbon, was established on the east side of the North Platte River, supplying essential lumber to Fort Fred Steele until 1886. Even after the railroad’s completion, soldiers at the fort continued their vital role, particularly safeguarding the vulnerable railroad bridge spanning the North Platte River, a critical infrastructure link.
However, by 1886, with Native American threats largely mitigated, the War Department decided to deactivate Fort Fred Steele on August 7th. The remaining troops were transferred to other military facilities. Most of the remains from the post cemetery, which housed 80 individuals including soldiers, officers, children, wives, and civilians, were reinterred at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Nebraska. Today, the cemetery at Fort Fred Steele contains only a few scattered remains and broken markers, a poignant reminder of lives lived and lost on the frontier.
From Logging Center to Historic Site
Despite the departure of the soldiers, the small settlement that had blossomed around the fort persevered, prospering for a period as a thriving logging center. The sawmill continued its operations, cutting and shaping trees while a lone guard oversaw the abandoned military property. However, the fort’s buildings eventually faced auction. In 1892 and 1893, most structures were sold off and moved from their original locations. By 1894, the remaining buildings and land were acquired by the Cosgriff Brothers, who initiated a vast sheep operation.
The Cosgriffs established significant herds in the region, constructing one of Wyoming’s largest sheep-shearing plants in 1903. This endeavor culminated in 1905 with a record-breaking shipment of over 800,000 pounds of wool to Boston, marking the single largest wool shipment ever from Wyoming. Around this time, the Carbon Timber Company acquired the sawmill, floating more than 1.5 million timbers down the North Platte River in 1909, remnants of which can still be seen across the river today. In 1915, the Cosgriffs’ land, including the old post, was purchased by another prominent sheep owner, L.E. Vivion, whose house, lean-to, and shed from that era still stand.
The small community experienced a temporary resurgence between 1920 and 1939 with the arrival of the Lincoln Highway, the nation’s first transcontinental highway. Its route directly through the town revitalized the local economy, with old barracks and other Fort Steele buildings repurposed as gasoline stations, cafes, and motels. The largest hotel, a 22-room establishment, was housed within an old military barracks, though it sadly burned down in November 1923.
The End of an Era and Modern Preservation
The fortunes of the town around Fort Fred Steele took a downturn in 1939 when U.S. 30 was rerouted and subsequently paved near its present location by I-80. This shift diverted traffic, leading to the rapid decline of commercial activity and a significant reduction in the resident population. The onset of World War II and the eventual cessation of the timber industry delivered the final blow to the once-vibrant settlement.
Recognizing its rich historical significance, the Wyoming State Legislature officially created the Fort Fred Steele State Historic Site in 1973. Today, visitors can explore an interpretive trail that winds through the remnants of two large warehouses, the officer’s quarters, and the powder magazine, which stands as the only fully intact structure. A couple of original wooden buildings also remain, along with the poignant remains of the old post cemetery. The site, located approximately nine miles east of Sinclair, Wyoming, just north of I-80 at exit 219, offers a compelling glimpse into Wyoming’s frontier past and the enduring legacy of Fort Fred Steele.
