Fort Fred Steele State Historic Site

Fort Fred Steele was a military post built alongside the North Platte River and positioned near the path of the Union Pacific Railroad. Scattered across the site are foundation remains and partial structures that show where soldiers lived, worked, and managed daily operations.

The post was founded in 1868 to guard railroad workers and trains during the construction of the transcontinental line. Its role shifted over the following decades as the region evolved and military needs changed.

The fort served as a gathering place where soldiers, traders, and settlers encountered one another during the region's growth. This mixing of military and civilian life left a lasting mark on how transportation corridors developed across Wyoming Territory.

The site invites walking and exploration of the ruins across open ground near the river valley. The landscape is relatively flat and accessible, making it easy to move between the scattered remains.

The installation witnessed severe combat during regional conflicts of the 1870s when troops suffered heavy casualties in mountain campaigns. This period became central to the post's story as a place of struggle and sacrifice.

Location: Carbon County

Website: https://wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/places-to-go/fort-fred-steele

GPS coordinates: 41.77833,-106.94750

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:02