Bridge at Fort Fred Steele, ca. 1870

Fort Fred Steele, was built in 1868 where the railroad crossed the North Platte River in present-day Carbon County, Wyoming. Fort Steele was named for Civil War hero General Frederick Steele. At first, the post was just a tent city, until about 300 troops, along with hired civilians, built the fort. The post included a sawmill, engineer, blacksmith, saddler, wheelwright, and a sutler’s store, in addition to barracks, officer’s quarters and other fort buildings. The fort was deactivated in 1886.