Fort Laramie - A Photo Portfolio

Fort Laramie, the "grand old post," was established as a private fur trading fort in 1834 at the junction of the Laramie and Platte Rivers by William Sublette and Robert Campbell. This log-stockaded fort was first known as Fort William.

Fort William was sold in 1835 to Jim Bridger, William Fitzpatrick, and Milton Sublette and again to the American Fur Company in 1836.

In 1841 an adobe-walled Fort Platte was built on the Platte River within a mile of Fort William. The American Fur Company then replaced the older log Fort William with a new fort, Fort John, named after John Sarpy a partner in the company. Constructed on a bluff overlooking the Laramie River, the newly constructed adobe brick Fort John replaced Fort William in 1841.

The primary business at the fort was Buffalo Robe trade with the local Indian tribes and as a rest and supply stop for emigrants heading to the West. On June 26, 1841 the fort was sold to the Army for $4,000.

After 41 years, in March of 1890 the Army marched out of Fort Laramie and the buildings and land were sold at a poorly attended auction to civilians. One of the few bidders was John Hunton, owner of Sutler's Store. He paid less than $400 for a dozen buildings. He then homesteaded this quarter section that included Old Bedlam, the Store, the Hospital, the Magazine, and two Officers Quarters. John Hunton, who had lived at Fort Laramie since 1888, died in September of 1925.

After continued public attention the Governor of Wyoming persuaded the state legislature to buy 214 acres of the fort in 1937. The State of Wyoming passed the deed to the United States and by Presidential Proclamation of July 16, 1938; this became Fort Laramie National Monument. In 1960 the area was enlarged by Congress to 571 acres and it was re-designated as Fort Laramie National Historic Site.