Casper in Natrona County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Old Fort Caspar

Photographed By Craig Baker

1. Old Fort Caspar Marker, now indoors

Inscription.
Originally known to trappers and explorers (1830-1847) as Upper Crossing of the North Platte River, it became the Mormon Ferry in 1847. Guinard built a bridge here in 1858, and troops from Platte Bridge Station guarded the telegraph line and protected emigrants on the “Oregon Trail”. July 26, 1865, the station was attacked by hordes of Indians. Lt. Caspar Collins led an heroic attempt to rescue Sgt. Custard’s wagon train, but sacrificed his life in aiding a fallen soldier. The station was renamed “Fort Caspar” in his honor. Abandoned in 1867, the fort and bridge were burned by Indians. The old fort was restored on its original foundations in 1936.

Erected by Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical date for this entry is June 26, 1865.

Location. 42° 50.185′ N, 106° 22.243′ W. Marker is in Casper, Wyoming, in Natrona County. Marker is on Fort Caspar Road, 0.1 miles west of Wyoming Route 258, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4001 Fort Caspar Road, Casper WY 82604, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Battle of Red Buttes (within shouting distance of this marker); Platte Bridge Cemetery (within shouting

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distance of this marker); The Battle at Platte Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Oregon Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); The Pony Express (within shouting distance of this marker); Mormon Pioneer Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Pioneer Military Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Indians Of Wyoming (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Casper.

More about this marker. This marker is located at the Fort Caspar Museum and Visitors Center. It has been moved inside the museum.

Also see . . . Fort Caspar Site History - City of Caspar. A factor in the decline of Fort Casper was the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad and with it a new transcontinental telegraph line. It reached Cheyenne in the fall of 1867 and would soon spell the end of organized migration along the Oregon/California/Mormon Pioneer Trail corridor. (Submitted on December 17, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

A view of the Old Fort Caspar Marker in its previous location image. Click for full size.

2. A view of the Old Fort Caspar Marker in its previous location

Old Fort Caspar Marker's previous location image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 17, 2015

3. Old Fort Caspar Marker's previous location

Reconstructed Fort Caspar image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 17, 2015

4. Reconstructed Fort Caspar

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 557 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on January 12, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on June 8, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 17, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.