Fort Phil Kearny, Military fort in Johnson County, Wyoming, US
Fort Phil Kearny is a former military installation in Johnson County, Wyoming, now preserved as a memorial site. The grounds include a visitor center with exhibits, marked trails to former defensive positions, and views over the wide prairie landscape around it.
The army built this outpost in the heart of Lakota territory to protect travelers heading to Montana goldfields. After just two years, the army abandoned the site and Lakota forces burned the installation.
The installation takes its name from a Civil War general and now serves as a reminder of the conflicts between settlers and Lakota peoples. Visitors see reconstructed buildings and can imagine how soldiers and families lived here under constant threat.
The grounds are open to the public and invite walks between historical markers. The visitor center opens at set times and offers maps and information about nearby battle sites.
The garrison never numbered more than a few hundred men, though thousands of Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho controlled the surrounding area. Today, white stones on the hills mark the spots where soldiers fell during the fights.
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