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Fort Steele Museum |
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Fort Steele was laid out on June 30, 1868 by Major Richard I. Dodge at the place where the Union Pacific--the westward-building portion of the nation's first transcontinental railroad--met the North Platte River. It was one of three military posts established along the railroad in Wyoming during the 1860s to provide protection for the line, the work crews, and the communities that developed along its route. It was named in honor of Colonel Frederick Steele (1819-1868) of the 20th U.S. Infantry. The fort was a supply point for expeditions against High Plains Indians and provided the force behind law and order during early Wyoming territorial days. A major event in its history was the White River Expedition of 1879. From the fort two companies, 28 wagons and an ambulance under the command of Major Thomas Thornburgh set out for the White River Agency in northern Colorado in response to a Ute Indian uprising against agent Nathaniel Meeker. Ambushed by the Utes, the party suffered 10 killed, including Thornburgh himself. |
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| In his famous night ride, scout Joe Rankin slipped through Indian lines and rode to Rawlins. there telegraph contact was made with Fort D.A. Russell, 150 miles east at Cheyenne, from which a force of 2,000 was dispatched under the command of Colonel Wesley Merritt. The close of the Ute uprising brought the beginning of quiet years to Fort Steele, although during the summer of 1885 soldiers were sent 100 miles west to Rock Springs in order to quell a riot against Chinese coal mine workers. The fort eventually lost its military importance as an era of Indian wars declined, and in 1886 it was abandoned. |
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Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m |
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Wondering About Wyoming Fort Fred State Historic Site |
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Fort Fred Steele State Historic Site |
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| Click here to download a Fort Steele Brochure (PDF) | |
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Box 30, HCR 67 Sinclair, WY 82334-9801 (307) 320-3013 (Office) http://wyoparks.state.wy.us/fsslide.htm |
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