Near Fort Laramie in Goshen County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

The Journey West Continues

By Barry Swackhamer, June 8, 2016

1. The Journey West Continues Marker

Captions: (lower left) Newly constructed "Old Bedlam" sits to the left of Old Fort John in this 1850s illustration . The view is from the south. Your location is to the north atop the hills to the left behind "Old Bedlam."; (right) The emigrants evening camp.

Inscription. "We proceeded (westward from Fort Laramie) and encamped outside the boundaries of Uncle Sam." So wrote Dr. J.S. Shepard in 1851 as he began the second leg of his journey west. "To leave Fort Laramie was to cast off all ties with civilization. It was an alien land." he noted.
The emigrants' elation at reaching the "civilization" of the Fort after 650 miles of monotonous, difficult overland travel was soon tempered by the realization that even more troublesome trail conditions lay ahead over the final two-thirds of the journey. "Here come the ascent of the Rocky Mountain." wrote an apprehensive Comelius Conway at mid-century.
To lighten their loads many travelers cast off thousands of dollars worth of food and equipment. This was especially true of the "49ers" who, in their hast to reach the gold fields, often invested little effort in planning their trip. Joseph Berrien reached Fort Laramie early, May 30, 1849, yet still referred to is as "Camp Sacrifice" because of the large quantities of abandon gear and foodstuffs he saw nearby.
Between 1849 and 1854 an annual average of some 31,000 overlanders passed trough or near this fort on their journey to Oregon, California, or Utah. Most passed on a trail marked by the ruts before you. Wagons travel near the Platte River, just to the north was difficult due to seasonal high

By Barry Swackhamer, June 8, 2016

2. The Journey West Continues Marker

water and progressively more difficult terrain.

Marker series. This marker is included in the Oregon Trail marker series.

Location. 42° 13.314′ N, 104° 34.458′ W. Marker is near Fort Laramie, Wyoming, in Goshen County. Marker is on Road 92 near Gray Rocks Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Laramie WY 82212, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mary Elizabeth Homsley (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Greatest Ride in History (approx. 1.1 miles away); ‘Where’s the Wall?’ (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Rustic Hotel “ . . . No Second-Rate Affair” (approx. 1.4 miles away); Noncommissioned Officers’ Quarters (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Cavalry Stables (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Rustic Hotel (approx. 1.4 miles away); Sawmill (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Laramie.

More about this marker. The marker is a short walk from the parking area.

Categories. • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers •

The Trail from the east image. Click for full size.

By Barry Swackhamer, June 8, 2016

3. The Trail from the east

The Tral west image. Click for full size.

By Barry Swackhamer, June 8, 2016

4. The Tral west

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2016. This page originally submitted on October 2, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 120 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 2, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of San Jose, California.