Fort Sanders

Fort Sanders was a military installation in southern Wyoming featuring stone buildings arranged around a central parade ground. The original stone guardhouse and other structures remain, with some buildings having been relocated to the city of Laramie.

The installation was established in 1866 as Fort John Buford to protect travelers on the Overland Trail and railroad construction workers in the region. The military post closed in 1882 after the railroad reduced the need for frontier protection.

One of the original buildings now operates as a restaurant in downtown Laramie, keeping the fort's presence alive in local daily life. The structure shows how military spaces were transformed and integrated into the community over time.

Parts of the fort remain at the original site outside Laramie while others are located within the city, requiring visits to multiple locations. Plan to see different sections by exploring both the countryside site and downtown Laramie.

Soldiers stationed here took part in major conflicts during the Indian Wars period and participated in significant military operations during the 1870s. Their actions shaped the history of westward expansion in the Wyoming territory.