Wyoming Historic Sites

• Fort Bridger State Historic Site

3 miles off Interstate 80 at exit 34, Fort Bridger, WY 82933, (307) 782-3842, <wyoparks.state.wy.us/sites/fortbridger> (click historic sites): Located within view of the Uinta Mountains, this site started as a supply shop for Oregon Trail pioneers in 1843, and it became a military outpost 15 years later. Tour reconstructed military buildings and the 1888 stone barracks, which house a museum.

• Fort Laramie National Historic Site

965 Gray Rocks Road, Fort Laramie, WY 82212, (307) 837-2221, <nps.gov/fola>: Called the “grand old post,” Fort Laramie began in 1834 as a fur-trading outfit and byway for Indians, trappers, missionaries, gold seekers, soldiers, cowboys and pioneers. Visit the restored cavalry barracks, officers’ quarters and guardhouse.

• Independence Rock

State Historic Site, US Highway 220, Mile Marker 63, Casper, WY, (307) 577-5150, <wyoparks.state.wy.us/sites/independencerock>: Perhaps the most famous landmark along the Oregon Trail, this large, dome-shaped monolith has hundreds of pioneers’ names and dates carved into its sides. The earliest inscription is believed to be that of M.K. Hugh in 1824.

• South Pass City Historic Site

125 Main St., South Pass City, WY 82520, (307) 332-3684, <www.southpasscity.com>: In this old mining town, there’s something for everyone to see: a blacksmith’s shop, saloon, jail, butcher’s shop, old-time cabin, schoolhouse and more. Tour 20 original buildings, restored to the 1800s gold rush era, and visit the Cold Mining Interpretive Center.

• Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum

400 West Center, Douglas, WY 82633, (307) 358-9288, <www.wypioneermuseum.com>: This museum tells the story of westward expansion through pioneer and ranching memorabilia and American Indian artifacts. Besides the original cabin, schoolhouses and gristmill, the site boasts a research library with an extensive photo collection.

• Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site

975 Snowy Range Road, Laramie, WY 82070, (307) 745-6161, <wyoparks.state.wy.us/sites/territorialprison>: The prison, built in 1872, incarcerated Wild West outlaws including Robert “George” Leroy Parker, aka Butch Cassidy. Tour the Warden’s House, cells, prisoners’ dining area, guards’ quarters and infirmary.

Visitor Information

• Wyoming Travel and Tourism

I-25 at College Drive, Cheyenne, WY 82002, (800) 225-5996

<www.wyomingtourism.org>