Historic fort Washakie was originally named Camp Auger and over the years the name was changed a number of times and finally named Fort Washakie in 1878 after Chief Wakashie of the Shoshone Indian Tribe of Wyoming.
In this article, we will go into the history of Fort Washakie and how it got started. You will also discover a famous member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition who is possibly buried in a cemetery in Fort Washakie.
History of Fort Washakie
Fort Washakie was established in 1869 and was called Camp Auger after the commander of the Department of Platte Christopher Auger. The Department of Platte was the United States Army’s military administrative district that was established in March of 1866. This arm of the Army extended from the Oregon Trail to Salt Lake City then along the Union Pacific Railroad into Montana at the Bozeman Trail and into eastern Wyoming.
Camp Auger Renamed Camp Brown
Camp Auger was renamed Camp Brown in 1870 after Captain Frederick Brown. Captain Brown was given this honor because he was killed in the Fetterman Massacre that took place three years earlier in 1866. The Massacre was a battle that took place between the Lakota, Arapaho, and Cheyenne tribes and a group of the United States Army led by Captain William Fetterman during the Red Cloud’s War. 81 U.S. soldiers died in that battle.
The area where Camp Brown sat was abandoned in 1871 and they moved the camp 15 miles into the Wind River Indian Reservation. It remained, Camp Brown until December of 1878 when it then was renamed once again to Fort Washakie.
Camp Brown Renamed Fort Washakie
Fort Washakie got its name from the last Eastern Shoshone’s Chief Washakie. Fort Washakie was one of the only military forts to be named after a Native American. The fort was in continuous use as a U.S. military fort until 1909 and then in 1913, the fort was given to the Shoshone Indian Agency.
Sacajawea is said to be Buried in Fort Wakashie
According to documentation and letters written from various sources, many believe that Sacajawea died on April 9, 1884, known as “Porivo” at the time of her death, and is buried in Fort Wakashie. A monument was built in 1963 called “Sacajawea of the Shoshonis” built in her honor as a guide to the Lewis and Clark Expedition at Fort Wakashie on the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Wind River Indian Reservation is located about 17 miles for Lander, Wyoming off of U.S. Highway 287. Fort Washakie was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 16, 1969. Chief Wakashie is also buried here.
Conclusion – Fort Washakie
If you are ever in the area of the Wind River Indian Reservation you will want to make a point to check out a few of the historical attractions there like Sacagawea Cemetary, Shoshone Tribal Cultural Center, and the Wind River Trading Company. All three of these places will give you some more insight into the Shoshone people and their culture and background of the early days of this area of Wyoming.
Cory is a website owner and content creator who enjoys fishing, history, coin collecting, and sports, among other hobbies. He is a husband and father of four.
Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.