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

Platte Bridge Cemetery

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 16, 2015

1. Platte Bridge Cemetery Marker

Inscription. You may be surprised that no one is buried under these stone markers. They represent some of the soldiers who died while stationed at Platte Bridge Station (Fort Caspar). The army removed the bodies originally located here and reinterred them at Fort D. A. Russell in 1899.
In 1926, members of the Civilian Conservation Corps unearthed three skeletons while working at this site. These bodies were reburied under the large monument to your left.
It is almost certain that other people are buried on the fort grounds. During the days of the great emigration along the Oregon Trail, this area served as a pioneer cemetery.

Erected 1988 by Natrona County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites.

Location. 42° 50.188′ N, 106° 22.21′ W. Marker is in Casper, Wyoming, in Natrona County. Marker is on Fort Caspar Road west of South West Wyoming Boulevard (Wyoming Highway 258), on the left 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. Old Pioneer Military Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Fort Caspar (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Site of Fort Casper (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of Red Buttes (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle at Platte Bridge (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Oregon Trail (about 300 feet away); Mormon Pioneer Trail (about 300 feet away); The Pony Express (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Casper.

More about this marker. This marker is located near the Fort Caspar Museum and Visitors Center.

Platte Bridge Cemetery and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 16, 2015

2. Platte Bridge Cemetery and Marker

Grand Army of the Republic Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 17, 2015

3. Grand Army of the Republic Monument

A plaque on the monument reads:
In Memory
of the
Grand Army of the Republic
To our fathers who sacrificed lives and fortunes for our freedom and unity
Presented by
Betsy Ross Tent No. 19
Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War
1861 - 1865

Several skeletons recovered by the CCC during reconstruction of Fort Caspar are buried on this hill.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 408 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on January 12, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 17, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on December 19, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.