Near Wright in Campbell County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

The Bozeman Trail

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 5, 2016

1. The Bozeman Trail Marker

Inscription. As with other emigrant trails in the west, the Bozeman Trail followed a route previously used by traders, trappers, and Native Americans. John Bozeman, along with John Jacobs, officially opened the Bozeman Trail to emigrants in 1863. This 500-mile trail shortened travel from Fort Laramie to the Montana gold mines by half, provided adequate water and food, cut through the hunting grounds of the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes, and broke the terms of the 1851 Fort Laramie Treaty. This treaty promised the lands of the Powder River Basin to Native Americans.

The great Sioux chief, Red Cloud, led his warriors against the emigrants traveling the Bozeman Trail. The United States responded in 1865 and 1866 by building military forts along the trail. While emigrant travel declined sharply after 1866, Native American hostilities persisted and the forts remained opened until 1868, when a new Fort Laramie Treaty was signed. The new treaty re-established the Native Americans possession of the Powder River lands. However, in only six years, the discovery of gold in the Black Hills created conflict, and the Native Americans ultimately

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lost control of the lands the Bozeman Trail crossed. The trail continued to be used as a military and freight road and by local travelers into the 20th century.

Erected by Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources Office, now managed by the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 43° 33.756′ N, 105° 54.87′ W. Marker is near Wright, Wyoming, in Campbell County. It is on State Highway 387 at milepost 124 near Brown Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wright WY 82732, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

on the Great Plains,

on the Northern Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana

The Bozeman Trail Marker and a second Bozeman Trail marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 5, 2016

2. The Bozeman Trail Marker and a second Bozeman Trail marker.

Purchase.

More about this marker. This marker is located about 7 3/4 miles west of Pine Tree Junction (State Routes 387 and 50 (Pine Tree Road)).

Bozeman Trail - Artesian Draw image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 5, 2016

3. Bozeman Trail - Artesian Draw

Bozeman Trail
Marked by the
State of Wyoming
1914

Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 2,237 times since then and 155 times this year. Last updated on November 17, 2022, by Peter Isner of Douglas, Wyoming. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 19, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.