Wyoming Territorial Prison

 Wyoming Territorial Prison is the only prison to ever house Butch Cassidy.  Built in 1872 is was first used as a federal territorial prison until 1890 and then further as a state prison until 1902.  It had five cells for women and over 150 overall.  It had an early fire, and was subject to many escapes.  In 1902 it transferred to University of Wyoming and was an agricultural station.  

the prison

dining hall

women's cells

library

work house

warden's house

George A. Wyman, Motorcycle Across America

 George A. Wyman was the first person to cross the American contiunent in a motorized vehicle.  He did this in an early motorcycle. which was basically a bicycle with a small motor attacked.  

Fort Fred Steel Cemetery and the Battle of Milk Creek

 The cemetery has a greater than expected number of graves for young children under five.  25 percent of the graves are for young children.  Life expectancy for children wasn't very great in this remote area.  It was also the final resting place for a group of soldiers from the fort, who were sent to intervene in the Meeker affair in Colorado.  The BIA agent Nathan Meeker there was having what he called issues with the Utes in the area.  He was trying to force them to become farmers.  He asked for help from the army and a unit under Major Thomas Tipton Thornburgh.  The troops were warned not to enter the reservation, which they did anyway which lead to the Utes ambushing the soldiers in Bad Canyon.  Thornburgh was killed as well as 13 of his command with 44 wounded.  The survivors holed themselves in and were surrounded for seven days.  They were finally rescued by the fifth calvary.  19 Ute warriors were killed.  In addition the Utes did kill Nathan Meeker and seven others at his agency.  The Utes were forced to abandon their reservation and were moved to Utah where they now live on the Uintah Ouray Reservation.

When the fort was later abandoned many of the soldiers were disinterred by family and moved elsewhere.  

The Train Tender House at Fort Steele

 Fort Steele was built to guard the railroad, especially the bridge over the Platte River.  The original bridge was made of wood, and subject to fire from the steam locomotives.  A home was built for the train tender with a view of the bridge.  

Bridge is not made of wood today

Next to the tender's home is another building, I assume for the railroad pump house.

The wood bridge