The first fort in Wyoming was started as a fur trade post in 1834, known as Fort John. Located near the Laramie River, it had become Fort Laramie by 1849 when the military took control. The fort’s grounds just west of the town of Fort Laramie in southeast Wyoming have an open parade ground surrounded by military-era buildings. One structure, Old Bedlam, is the oldest standing building in the State of Wyoming. At or near Fort Laramie, fur traders, overland emigrants, the frontier army and Indians gathered as they came to trade, work and meet.

Although Fort Laramie (1834-1890), a National Historic Site, is undoubtedly the most important and outstanding example of its kind in Wyoming, there are other forts to explore. Several of them have periodic living history programs and other special events.