National Parks Traveler Episode 115: Western Expansion Through Fort Laramie

Appearance of Fort William/John/Laramie as painted by Alfred Jacob Miller pre-1840/public domain

If you're searching for the door that opened Westward Expansion, find yourself at Fort Laramie National Historic Site in eastern Wyoming. It's decidedly a side trip from anywhere, as it's about 100 miles north of Cheyenne, the state capital, and maybe 55 miles west of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. From Interstate 25, the nearest major highway, the drive is not quite 30 miles and 40 minutes from Wheatland, Wyoming.

This is Kurt Repanshek, your host at National Parks Traveler. I recently visited Fort Laramie and toured the site with Park Guide Clayton Hanson. The history to find across the historic site's grounds, its restored buildings, and in the surrounding countryside, is deeper than first glance might indicate. It's not just a military relic. Fort Laramie truly was an iconic milepost in the nation's history.

Last week Clayton and I made stops at the general location of the original Fort William, the Captain’s quarters, and Old Bedlam. In this week's podcast we resume our tour with a stop at the sutler's store, the cavalry barracks, and a view of where the 1868 treaty talks with Native Americans were held.