Banner in Sheridan County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Laundress Row:
No Hog Ranch Here
All military posts had laundresses, with some having poor reputations as ladies-of-the-night, or for conducting shady activities. This may not have been the case at Fort Phil Kearny. There were four to five laundresses at this fort, each assigned to a company, and all but one being married to an enlisted man. They did not charge a fixed rate for their work but were paid “fluctuating mountain prices”. They and their husbands were housed in 10 by 24 foot jack-pole built quarters with dirt roofs. These quarters, of which there were twelve, may have been connected in a row or scattered about.
The laundress for Company H, a servant who came west with Captain Ten Eyck, may have been the exception. Her name was Susan Fitzgerald and affectionally known as “Colored or Black Susan”. She was apparently a very enterprising woman who was credited with an “excellent ability to make sausage, and good sausage at that, out of almost every kind of meat”. But her enterprise led to trouble. Captain Ten Eyck was reprimanded in a “strong order” from Colonel Carrington for allowing her to sell pies, made from quartermaster stores, to the troops for 50 cents.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.
Location. 44° 31.888′ N, 106° 49.47′ W. Marker is in Banner, Wyoming, in Sheridan County. Marker can be reached from Wagon Box Road, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located inside Fort Phil Kearny. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Banner WY 82832, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Hospital (a few steps from this marker); Lesson Learned (a few steps from this marker); The Civilians: (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cavalryman’s Quarters: (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Guard House: (about 400 feet away); The Quartermaster Corral: (about 400 feet away); Site of Fort Phil Kearny (about 400 feet away); The Post Headquarters: (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Banner.
More about this marker. The left side of the marker features an artist concept of Laundress’ at work. The right side of the marker contains a portrait of Captain Tenador Ten Eyck, and a map showing the location of the Laundress Quarters.
Also see . . . Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site. (Submitted on August 25, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 290 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.