Near Elk Mountain in Carbon County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Fort Halleck

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 28, 2016

1. Fort Halleck Marker

Caption: Fort Halleck was established in 1862 at the foot of Elk Mountain in Wyoming. The Fort was abandoned in 1866. Original picture in State Historical Department.

Inscription.
Established July 20, 1862. Located west of the Medicine Bow River at the north base of Elk Mountain. The site was selected by and the post built under the command of Major John O'Ferrall, 11th Ohio Cavalry. It was established to protect the Overland Trail, the Denver-Salt Lake stage route, and the telegraph line from the Indians. Named for Major General Henry W. Halleck. Abandoned on July 4, 1866. The military reservation was transferred to the Interior Department on October, 11, 1886.

Dedicated to the men of the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. F. Mahannah is but one of the many stationed at Fort Halleck, 1862-1865. His name is one of many found carved in the nearby bluffs.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical date for this entry is July 20, 1962.

Location. 41° 41.934′ N, 106° 31.386′ W. Marker is near Elk Mountain, Wyoming, in Carbon County. Marker is on Rattlesnake Pass Road near Interstate 80. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elk Mountain WY 82324, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Overland Trail (approx. 6 miles away).

More about this marker. The remnants of Fort Halleck, the blacksmith shop, are located

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on Elk Mountain Ranch. The ranch, which is private property, is approximately 4 miles west on Rattlesnake Pass Road from Interstate 80 Exit 255. Permission is require to enter the property.

The marker is 'home-made' and contains several artifacts and a depiction of F. Mahannah's name found carved on a nearby bluff.

Also see . . . Fort Halleck and the Overland Trail. Wyo History website entry (Submitted on December 11, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Fort Halleck blacksmith shop and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 28, 2016

2. Fort Halleck blacksmith shop and Marker

Fort Halleck blacksmith shop, interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 28, 2016

3. Fort Halleck blacksmith shop, interior

Fort Halleck image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 28, 2016

4. Fort Halleck

The National Register of Historic Places
Wyoming Place No. 40

Maj. Gen. Henry Wager Halleck image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

5. Maj. Gen. Henry Wager Halleck

Engraved by J. C. McCrea in The History of the Civil War in America, by John S. C. Abbott, 1864, between pages 390 and 391.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 677 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 22, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 5. submitted on January 28, 2024, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.