Outside the present boundaries of the national monument, but closely
related to the historic fort, are several other points of interest.
[Illustration: _A view of Fort Laramie, 1954._]
[Illustration: _The cavalry barracks, 1954, partially restored._]
When approaching the fort, the visitor crosses the North Platte River on
a picturesque iron truss bridge which was built by the Army in 1875-76
with materials hauled by ox team from Cheyenne. A short distance above
the bridge, on the south bank of the river, is the site of old Fort
Platte, rival of the second Fort Laramie (Fort John). Farther on, to the
left of the road, is a modern cemetery which includes a few marked
burials of soldiers and civilians of the late military period. The
remains of enlisted men once buried here, along with remains of soldiers
slain in the Grattan massacre, have been removed to Fort McPherson
National Cemetery in Nebraska.
Just beyond the boundary fence to the northeast, adjoining the cavalry
barracks and commissary storehouse, once stood numerous utility shops,
stables, corrals, the Indian agent's office, and the telegraph office.
On the opposite side of Laramie River were other structures associated
with the fort, including a laundresses' quarters and the Brown's Hotel.
In historic times there were various bridges across the Laramie for the
accommodation of soldiers and civilian travelers. The abutments of one
of these may still be seen to the east of the old bakery.
_How to Reach Fort Laramie_
Fort Laramie National Monument is on a paved country road 3 miles
southwest of the town of Fort Laramie, Wyo., which is on U. S. 26 midway
between its junctions with U. S. 85 and 87.
The Burlington Railroad and Bus Lines offer service to the town of Fort
Laramie, but there is no public transportation between the town and the
monument. You must arrange your own transportation between these points.
_Administration_
Fort Laramie National Monument is administered by the National Park
Service of the United States Department of the Interior. A
superintendent, whose address is Fort Laramie, Wyo., is in immediate
charge.
_Related Areas_
Included in the National Park System are many other important areas
connected with various periods in American history. In addition to Fort
Laramie National Monument, those commemorating related phases of Western
history include: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, Mo.; Homestead
and Scotts Bluff National Monuments, Nebr.; Custer Battlefield and Big
Hole Battlefield National Monuments, Mont.; Grand Teton National Park,
Wyo.; Whitman National Monument, Wash.; Lava Beds National Monument,
Calif.; Pipe Spring National Monument, Ariz.; and McLoughlin House
National Historic Site, Oreg.
_Facilities_
Fort Laramie National Monument has no facilities for camping parties.
Trailer parks, motels, hotel accommodations, and restaurants may be
found in the nearby towns of Torrington, Lingle, Fort Laramie, and
Guernsey.
The area is open the entire year. Historical information and literature
are available at the administrative office and museum, which is open
every day during the summer. Special interpretive service is available
to groups making prior arrangements with the superintendent.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
HISTORICAL HANDBOOK SERIES
(Price lists of National Park Service publications may be obtained
from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25, D.C.)
Antietam
Bandelier
Chalmette
Chickamauga and Chattanooga Battlefields
Custer Battlefield
Custis-Lee Mansion, the Robert E. Lee Memorial
Fort Laramie
Fort McHenry
Fort Necessity
Fort Pulaski
Fort Raleigh
Fort Sumter
George Washington Birthplace
Gettysburg
Guilford Courthouse
Hopewell Village
Independence
Jamestown, Virginia
Kings Mountain
The Lincoln Museum and the House Where Lincoln Died
Manassas (Bull Run)
Montezuma Castle
Morristown, a Military Capital of the Revolution
Ocmulgee
Petersburg Battlefields
Saratoga
Scotts Bluff
Shiloh
Statue of Liberty
Vanderbilt Mansion
Vicksburg
Yorktown
[Illustration: Endpaper]