fort phil kearny state historic site

Great interpretation at this site, with new exciting programs being developed all the time. Can't wait to try their Full Moon tour at Halloween!

Visited Fort Phil Kearny along the old Bozeman Trail during our R/V trip through the mid-west and western trip this past year. It was named after a Union general killed during the Civil War. It is located off I-90 between Buffalo and Sheridan Wyoming. What you see here is a reconstruction of the old stockade fort since it was abandoned by the U.S.Army in 1868 and later burned by the Cheyenne Indians. Later in 1963 it was designated an National Historic Landmark and preserved for history. We stopped in the Visitor Center for an orientation, view displays and a model of the fort, and see an orientation film. I was interested in the Fetterman and Wagon Box Battle Sites and in seeing the old historic fort grounds. Fort Phil Kearny is one of the largest stockade fortifications constructed in the west. It was the focal point of a war between the U.S. Army and the Sioux Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians. And, I was interested in learning more about these Indian Wars. Present structures include an Interpretive Center, restrooms and picnic area, Native American Memorial and outline of where the old stockade perimeter, fortifications, reviewing grounds, bandstand, chapel, barracks, quarters and offices used to be. Plan to spend a couple hours on site. The explanation by the guides and staff were well worth the visit for a better understanding of the deployment of U.S. Army troops in the mid- and western portions of the U.S. in the 1800's and the Indian Wars that resulted from our push westward.

We loved that there is still a wooden surround to make it historic and really looked like the sort of fort we expected. The information guides were amazing. And very knowledgable and it was an amazing experience.

Fort Phil Kearny was one the reasons for this trip. My husband is particularly interested in the Wagon Box fight which is a satellite site of the fort. The visitor's center has some displays, a film, and a model. The staff member used the model to explain the location of the fort, the timber, and the battles. Even knowing very little about the history I was able to understand what happened and mostly why.Don't expect to see an original or restored fort since the Native Americans burned the fort after the army abandoned it. What is there are markers to show where the building would have stood. When we were there in September the grass had also been mowed to different heights to give the dimensions of the buildings. On two hills there are silhouettes where either the army spotters or the Native Americans who were watching their every move were located.The historic site is also responsible for the Fetterman Massacre Site and the Wagon Box Fight site. The Fetterman site is before you get to the fort. There's a monument there and some sign panels but if you don't know anything about the fight they're not really helpful. The Wagon Box site is beyond the fort on a gravel road. Seems like it takes forever to get there. Watch for the turnoff on the left, it's not very well marked. There's another monument and some explaination along with a wagon box. Again if you don't know anything about the fight it will be hard to understand. That's why it's so important to stop in the visitor's center at the fort.

If you have any interest in the Plains Indian Wars you have to visit the Fetterman Battlesite and Wagon Box Battlefields but before you go to the battlefields visit Fort Kearny and let Jeff and/or Starr explain what happened at each location. Prior to George Custer having his "one bad day" in Montana at the Little Big Horn. The Fetterman disaster (1866) was the biggest loss to US Army since the Civil War. Familiar names like Crazy Horse and Red Cloud were present at the battle and Star will explain that more recent theories for the loss of 81 soldiers bring into question the traditional notion of fault and responsibility.

Definitely worth a visit, very interesting historic place, not much imagination needed to see how it must have been

This location isn't a destination, but it was a perfect place to stop and take in some interesting historical information while stretching your legs. We went in late September and our daughter enjoyed running around the Fort's grounds while I enjoyed the interpretive placards. Cost was 6 dollars for non-Wyoming adults and free for children.

I thought that it would take me about 3 hours for the fort, the Fetterman Battle Site and the Wagon Box Battle site, but it ended up taking about 6 hours. The demonstration of the types of weapons used by both sides was truly excellent. Bob fired all the types of rifles used, plus one revolver, and a bow and arrow, and a mountain howitzer as well. Bob has an unbelievable amount of information in his head. The Visitor Center is good, and the artifacts and diorama are very good. Starr has a wealth of information, and is lots of fun to talk to. The fort itself takes about 20 minutes to walk abound the periphery, and there are lots of signs, but only a small section of wall has been rebuilt. If Custer hadn't gotten so many of his men killed, then all the tourists would be coming here instead of Little Big Horn.

I never tire of history, historic locations or battlefields. As said this was my third visit to the fort. It's starting to get a little run down and this is not good considering the state only rebuilt a small portion of the walls of the actual fort. Before visiting though you should read up on the fort and what happened there back on Dec. 21st 1866. It's quite an interesting story. The price of admission is only $4.00 each so it's not a purse breaker. A few miles away is the location of the Wagon Box Fight, something else to read up on. The most famous site is a couple of miles way. This is commonly referred to as the Fetterman Fight were in 1866, 79 soldiers and 2 civilians met their end at the hand of 2000 Indians. Another interesting read. The memorial plaque is wrong as to the number of casualties. It was not until the Custer fight 10 years later that interest shifted away from this battle. The Little Big Horn Battlefield is about 80 miles north on I90.

There's a lot of history here, and the guide pointed out that a great deal of the history is in the terrain, which is still much the same as it was during Red Cloud's time. Well worth the stop; also went to the Fetterman monument. The original 1908 plaque on that monument stated that there were no survivors of the battle…the new one to the side said, yes there were…1500 Native Americans. Hard to realize that it was a war, really: the Native Americans were fighting for their way of life. They may have won the war but in winning they still lost.

This attraction exemplifies many of the errors of judgement by the US Government in the early days of westward expansion. The determination and strategic capability of the Indian nations was grossly under-estimated resulting in the humiliating retreat from the region by the US forces after the annihilation of a relief column lured out of the safety of the fort by intelligent assessment of the routine reactions on the part of their adversary.The explanatory video, information boards and replication the the original fort all combine to set out quite clearly the political and military background to the establishment and eventual abandonment of this fort. A worthwhile visit for everyone truly interested in the real story of westward expansion.

Initially you look around and think there isn't much to see....but that is wrong. This is a great site that really gives you a feeling for how it was. Plan on spending a hour walking around to really get a feel for everything and a chance to read and see all the highlights. This is a must visit for any western history buff.

Fort Phil Kearny is a partially reconstructed site with a good museum and helpful, knowledgeable staff. I had read the book Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, so I knew a bit about Red Cloud's War already. Even without that background, the orientation video gives a decent overview of the Bozeman Trail and events that led to the fort's construction, related battles, and the fort's demise. Don't be afraid to ask the rangers questions. I found them enthusiastic and willing to share. If you have time to walk through the fort area, you'll find it's very large with lots of interpretive info. I learned a tremendous amount. It's worth the short drive to the site of the Fetterman Fight as well. There's a monument, a garden, and some signage. The majestic scenery helps you understand why these lands were so vital---sacred, even---to the tribes that fought for them in the 1860s.

The curator was just opening up as we arrived at 8am, and welcomed us in. She was so kind, told us all the information about the fort and the story of the famous battle there, answering our questions with patience and enthusiasm.After seeing the film, we walked out to the fort site - there isn't much left, as the Indians burnt it down when the army moved on, but I'd rather see the real site than some Disneyesque re-creation, There are informative boards as you go round (some are due for renewal as birds and weather have rendered them illegible). They do have some Indian silhouettes on the hillside which help to orientate you for the battle.Well worth a visit, I enjoyed it very much. And good preparation for the Little Bighorn battlefield that we visited later that day.

Keep in mind that the Indians burnt this place to the ground after the troops moved out. So don't expect to see a real fort. But you will get a chance to get an idea of where the fort was located and get a better understanding of the time.Overall a nice side stop.