Platte River Bridge
by Jon Burch Photography
Title
Platte River Bridge
Artist
Jon Burch Photography
Medium
Photograph - Digital Capture And Enhancement
Description
Once broad and turbulent, the North Platte River posed a formidable obstacle to 19th century travelers. High water made it nearly impossible to cross the river for several months each year. The crossing became less dangerous by 1850 when ferry service was established to meet the growing volume of military and emigrant traffic. Frequent ferry accidents and slow crossing speeds continued to impede travelers until a permanent bridge was built.
Following the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868, which set up the "Great Sioux Reservation," huge amounts of supplies were needed to provision the newly established Indian agencies. Businessmen in Cheyenne quickly recognized the lucrative opportunities that developed. To insure that the supply route between Cheyenne and the agencies remained the most practical one, Wyoming Congressman W.R. Steele convinced Congress to fund the construction of a bridge across the North Platte River.
The discovery of gold in the Black Hills led thousands of fortune hunters to cross the Fort Laramie Bridge into the Great Sioux Reservation, in violation of the Treaty of 1868. Efforts to negotiate with the Lakota to sell the Black Hills failed, resulting in open warfare in 1876. The military used the bridge to move troops and supplies needed to engage the Northern Plains Nations.
One can still walk across this old Iron Bridge on the North Platte near Fort Laramie. Built in 1875, it is the oldest existing military bridge west of the Mississippi River. General George Crook led his troops across the North Platte using this bridge in 1876 as they were leaving Fort Laramie and heading to meet up with General George Custer at the Little Bighorn in Montana. However, Crook got to Montana too late to be of any help to Custer and his men.
The original 400 foot bridge built by the King Iron Bridge Company in 1875 at a cost of $15,000 was in daily use up until 1958 when it was finally replaced with the new one now standing above the North Platte River shown in this image.
Image copyright 2014 Jon Burch Photography
Uploaded
July 8th, 2014
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