Fort Laramie in Goshen County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Mormon Pioneers at Fort Laramie
In June, 1847, after following a faint trapper trail on the north side of the Platte River, the Pioneers reached Fort Laramie. Brigham Young, with a number of his party, crossed the river and walked up to the fort.
At this time the fort was called Fort John. It was owned by the American Fur Company and managed by James Bordeaux who greeted Brigham Young and the others. From Bordeaux they learned that they needed to cross the river at this point because the marshy terrain on the north side of the river would soon make travel impossible, so the Pioneers made arrangements to cross the river on a large flatboat.
Realizing that many others would need to cross the river at this point, the Pioneers built the first ferry in this area. Brigham Young left men to run the ferry which was used for over twenty years, aiding not only Mormons but all others who followed.
The present Fort Laramie in now a National Historic Site and dates mainly from the Civil War era. This marker, in the town of Fort Laramie, marks the approximate place that the Pioneers actually crossed the river.
Erected 1992 by National Society of the Sons of Utah Pioneers, Mills Chapter. (Marker Number 49.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Mormon Pioneer Trail, the Oregon Trail, and the Sons of Utah Pioneers series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1847.
Location. 42° 12.774′ N, 104° 30.999′ W. Marker is in Fort Laramie, Wyoming, in Goshen County. Marker is at the intersection of East Merriam Street (U.S. 26) and Lawton Avernue on East Merriam Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 East Merriam Street, Fort Laramie WY 82212, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fort Laramie National Historic Site (approx. half a mile away); Old Army Bridge Over the Platte River (approx. 0.9 miles away); Spanning a Century: End of an Era (approx. 0.9 miles away); Fort Platte (approx. 1.1 miles away); Handcarts – The New Plan (approx. 2.1 miles away); Post Quartermaster’s Area (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Cavalry Stables (approx. 2.1 miles away); Noncommissioned Officers’ Quarters (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Laramie.
Regarding Mormon Pioneers at Fort Laramie. This marker is on the east side of the information center. There is an Oregon Trail marker on the west side of the information center.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 844 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 20, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.