Fort Fred Steele

 (1868-1886) - Established 30 Jun 1868 by Maj. Richard I. Dodge, 30th U.S. Infantry in Carbon County, Wyoming. Named for Colonel Frederick Steele, 20th U.S. Infantry. Abandoned 3 Nov 1886 after being transferred to the Interior Department 9 Aug 1886.

History


One of three military forts designed to protect the Union Pacific Railroad route through Wyoming. Fort Fred Steele was established at a strategic point where the railroad crossed the North Platte River.

Original military structures at Fort Steele included a commanding officer's quarters, officers quarters, two large warehouses, a powder magazine, two enlisted barracks and a number of smaller structures.

After the post closed in 1886 a small community grew up in and around the abandoned fort. In 1922 the transcontinental Lincoln Highway was routed right along the edge of the fort but it was rerouted in 1939 and the town faded away.

Current Status


Fort Fred Steele State Historic Site. An 1881 Powder Magazine is one of the few remaining original buildings but a reconstructed traders post is under construction presumably for use as a visitor's center. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places 16 Apr 1969.

Sources:
 * , page 858-859.
 * , page 198.
 * , page 186.
 * , page 184-189.

Links: 
 * North American Forts - Fort Fred Steele
 * State Marker