Fort Fetterman, Military fort near Douglas, United States.
Fort Fetterman stands on bluffs south of the North Platte River, about 11 miles northwest of present-day Douglas, Wyoming. Built in 1867, it held quarters for 300 enlisted men, a 15-bed hospital, stables for 50 horses and a corral for 56 mule wagons. Visitors walk an interpretive trail past the ruins; an officers' quarters and an ordnance warehouse are restored and hold exhibits, artifacts and dioramas.
The post was founded in 1867 to protect settlers and support military operations against Native Americans. After closure in 1882, the area became a supply point for ranchers before the founding of Douglas nearby led to its decline.
The site shows how soldiers and their families lived on the frontier, with buildings for various trades and daily tasks. The remaining structures give a sense of what social life looked like far from larger towns.
The site is open from May through September with guided tours and marked trails through the buildings. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as the plateau is exposed and windy, and sun protection is recommended.
Charles Henry King and others founded Fetterman City around the abandoned post as an outfitting point for ranchers and wagon trains. When Douglas was established eleven miles away in 1886, the settlement declined fast. The interpretive trail passes the site of this short-lived town.
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