Fort Laramie

We visited Fort Laramie.

Fort Laramie has a long history.  It was established in the era of fur traders and mountain men.  It was used then as a fort to resupply the traders and host fur rendezvous.   

The American Indians were a constant presence at the fort, visiting for trading. 

The soldier's barracks. 

Inside the barracks. 

Fort Laramie is best known as a stopping point on the Oregon Trail.  The fort is the last stop before heading up into the mountains and crossing South Pass.  Many of the Indian Wars had ties to Fort Laramie, it was where the soldiers were stationed and peace treaties signed.

Thought out it's history, many buildings came and went.  First there were actual forts and then eventually it became like military bases are today, small cities unto themselves.  The current fort is not fortified by any walls or stockades.  It is a spread out group of buildings mostly surrounding the parade grounds.

Some of the houses had furnished rooms with glassed off doors allowing us to look in, but not walk through.

A mercantile or general store.