Fort Bridger in Uinta County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Old Guardhouse

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2015

1. Old Guardhouse Marker

Inscription. Built in 1868 of quarried limestone slabs, this guardhouse was a replacement for the not-so-secure log guardhouse that stood fifty yards north of here. With walls 2' thick, the exterior dimensions were 24' x 58'. The height of the roof went from 10' at the eve to 16' at the top of the pitch.
The front portion served as the guard room, or headquarters for the 24-hour sentry force which guarded the fort and escorted prisoners on work details. It measured 28' x 20'. The prisoner's area in the rear measured 24' x 20' and consisted of two cells made of heavy timber.
In 1887, after completion of the new guardhouse that sits approximately 50 yards north of here, this building was no longer used as a guardhouse. Restoration of the exterior of this old guardhouse was begun in the late 1980's and is gradually continuing.

Erected by Fort Bridger Historical Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.

Location. 41° 19.084′ N, 110° 23.567′ W. Marker is in Fort Bridger, Wyoming, in Uinta County. It can be reached from Business Interstate 80 near Main Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Bridger WY 82933, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Wyoming’s Uinta Mountains

and in the Westward Expansion Trails Region.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Post Commissary (a few steps from this marker); The Mormon Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); Digging Up the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); Infantry Barracks (Museum) (within shouting distance of this marker); Women at the Trading Post (within shouting distance of this marker); Mormon Occupation (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Bridger: A Trading Post (within shouting distance of this marker); The Road to Zion (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Bridger.

More about this marker. This marker is on the grounds of Fort Bridger State Park.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2015

2. Old Guardhouse Marker

Of the two markers, this marker is on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 413 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 14, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.