Wyoming’s history is fascinating to anyone who loves tales of the Wild West. Read a little about the very first business established west of the Missouri and how it helped shape our state for years to come.

Back in the 1830s, the Wild West was home to fur traders who were learning how to use the land for profit.
Wikimedia Commons / Alfred Jacob Miller (public domain)
As Americans ventured westward, Forts were established for trade and for governance.
Fort William was the very first business established west of the Missouri River. It was built by William Sublette and Robert Campbell in 1834.
Fort Laramie/CyArk
The pair held onto the fort for about a year, and in 1835, it was sold to a local fur trader, Thomas Fitzpatrick.
In 1836, the American Fur Company purchased Fort William and renamed it Fort John. It became an important stop along the new emigrant trails forming in the West.
Flickr / Kent Kanouse
When the U.S. Army purchased the fort in 1849, it was used to protect wagon trains of immigrant settlers, and the name Fort Laramie slowly came into use.
Throughout the years, Fort Laramie established itself as a landmark stop as settlers made their way to the West Coast.
Flickr / Jimmy Emerson, DVM
In 1851, the first Treaty of Fort Laramie was signed, resulting in relatively peaceful relations between the whites and the Native Americans during the 1850s.

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Today, you can visit the remaining structures of the fort at Fort Laramie National Historic Site.
Wikimedia Commons/Chris Light
This well preserved site is home to 13 buildings and 11 standing ruins, along with other foundations, structures, and remnants of the past.
The most interesting part of a visit to Fort Laramie is the old Frontier trading post.
Flickr / Jasperdo
Wyoming is a truly unique place with a ton of fascinating history. Since the original post was a fur-trading spot, it was the very first business west of the Missouri River!
Step back in time when you step inside and revisit the days when a trip to the trading post was for picking up clothing, provisions, and fur.
Facebook / Fort Laramie Historic Site
The Trading Post is part of the 536-acre historic district, along with the Old Guardhouse, Cavalry Barracks, and more.
Several structures remain as ruins, like the Officer's Quarter's Ruins.
Flickr / Jasperdo
The Hospital Ruins, Trader's Ruins and Latrine Ruins are a fascinating way to see the way people lived back in the 1800s.
Plan a trip to Fort Laramie and get in touch with Wyoming's earliest history.
Flickr / Curtis Cronn
You'll learn so much about your home state that you never read in the history books!

Visit the Fort Laramie Historic Site to see the remains of Fort William and the origin of commerce in America’s wild west.

Address: 965 Grey Rocks Road, Fort Laramie, WY, 82212

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