Hurry! A Historic Wyoming Fort Closes After This Weekend

The 1860s were a pivotal time in Wyoming, as settlers made their way across the territory in search of new adventures. At that time, things weren't entirely safe for those travelers, so the military set up forts to help protect them on their journey.

One of those forts was Fort Fetterman, which was built in July of 1867 along the Bozeman Trail. It remained open until 1882, during which time it served as a base for military operations in the area.

The fort was named after Captain William J. Fetterman, who was killed in battle in the latter part of 1866.

At one point, over 300 servicemen were stationed there, along with storehouses, stables, and a hospital. Even though they had shelter, it was still considered a hardship post due to the harsh winters, the distance from good water, and the difficulty of growing food in the soil.

When the fort was abandoned, very little was left behind, but today there's a museum which shows what it was like to be stationed there. A restored officers’ quarters and an ordnance warehouse feature interpretive exhibits and artifacts that showcase the fort’s history, Fetterman City, and its Indian predecessors.

Fort Fetterman is open to the public during the summer, but your time is slipping away. This weekend will be the last weekend of the year that it has been open.

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You are encouraged to walk the grounds where interpretive signs describe the fort’s buildings and activities.

To get to the site, head northwest out of Douglas and drive about 11 miles on Highway 93.