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Eventually, almost
all of the emigrants had to cross the North Platte River. Only those who
started in Council Bluffs and stayed on the north side of the river could
escape this relatively arduous undertaking. As the trails matured, the
options for crossing the river increased and changed.
Until 1846, most emigrants
used an old fur trappers’ ford over the river southwest of what is now
Casper in the area of Red Buttes . In
1847, the Mormons established a ferry about eight  miles
downstream from the old ford. The ferry consisted of two large cottonwood
canoes fastened by cross pieces and covered with slabs. It was operated
by oars and Brigham Young left nine men here to operate it. In 1848, they
constructed a second ferry in approximately the same location. In 1849
they moved about 4 miles downriver.The ferry operated until 1852, charging
between $1.50 and $5 for passage, depending on the conditions of the river.
Louis Guinard constructed
a bridge at the site of the Mormon Ferry in 1859, with the first migration
crossing in 1860. This bridge was nearly one thousand feet long and seventeen
feet wide. It was supported by 28 stone-filled  cribs
and cost nearly $40,000 to build. It competed with
Reshaw’s Second Bridge for the remainder of the emigration,
charging between $1 and $6 depending on river conditions. The site, originally
known as Mormon Ferry , became Platte Bridge Station and then Fort Caspar.
Abandoned in 1867, "all salvagable material" was used to build
Fort Fetterman.
National Park Service
Comprehensive Management Plan
The NPS lists these sites, both of which are located within the current
Fort Caspar complex, as high potential sites.
There are no known
threats. Fort Caspar is listed on the National Register.
Ownership
Public. (City of Casper)
Directions
Natrona County, Wyoming. T34N/R79W
Fort Caspar is located
on SR 258 on the west side of Casper in the town of Mills. Signs direct
travelers to the site.
Additional Information
At the height of the California Gold Rush, in June 1849, James Pritchard
waited three days to
cross the North Platte on the Mormon Ferry: "175 wagons ahead of
us and we had to take our turn." The next year, Thomas Christy arrived
at the ferry at mid afternoon, "and got our wagons taken right across.
There are four boats running here."
William H. Jackson
wrote of Guinard’s Bridge: "We crossed at once over the very finest...bridge
yet encountered, a sturdy and workmanlike structure of logs."
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