Fort Bridger to Echo Canyon

After leaving Fort Laramie there was no place for travelers to replenish supplies until Fort Bridger, 396 miles farther west. Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez established the trading post in 1843 specifically to supply wagon trains heading west. At this point the Oregon Trail turned north and those moving west continued to the Great Salt Lake Valley or various California trails. By 1846 many wagon trains were using the Greenwood Cut-off, a more direct route, thus by-passing Fort Bridger.

Alonzo recorded his impressions on October 9^th, “Laid over at Ft. Bridger. Ft Bridger is situated on Black[s] Fork River. Quite an extensive valley, very good feed. Small creek runs through the valley. The Utah Indians are in Lodge here at present. Old man Bridger looks some like Mr. Carter. He (Bridger) is an old miser.”

He is referring to Alonzo Carter, son of Lorenzo Carter who was the first permanent resident of Cleveland. Alonzo Carter was the father-in-law to two of Alonzo Rathbun’s brothers, Stewart and Corydon.

I was interested if anything survived from 1849 and discovered that there was an excellent replica of the original fort.

(Click on photos to view a larger image)

Follow the arrow to Bridger's Old Fort

Bridge to Stockade

Brief History of Bridger's Stockade

Entrance to stockade

Early drawing of Fort Bridger & Jim Bridger

The two buildings within the stockade were almost identical, one housed the trading post and the living quarters for Bridger and his family, the other for Vasquez.

Trading post, interior

Bridger's quarters, interior

The Louis Vasquez quarters

Quarters of Luis Vasquez, interior

Old wagon wheels

Corral behind Bridger's Post

Horse Corral

About eighty miles beyond Fort Bridger travelers arrived at Echo Canyon in Utah, today located on I-80. Alonzo recorded his reaction, "The pass down Echo Canyon was like traveling the street of some large depopulated city."

Echo Canyon by William Henry Jackson

Courtesy of the William Henry Jackson Collection, Scotts Bluff National Monument

Echo Canyon, 2009

Imagine the weary travelers, after crossing one thousand hard miles during four long months, learning that the next thirty miles, that would bring them to the Great Salt Lake Valley, were the most difficult stretch of road of the entire journey. Next, The Road to the Valley.