The foundation of a cobblerock wall built here by Mormons in the 1850s has been excavated in an archeological dig this summer, and a number of artifacts have been uncovered.
Fort Bridger was an important location for Mormon pioneers. When the pioneers arrived here in 1847, the fort consisted of a double log house, with adjoining corrals. During the Mormon pioneer period, it was a supply center for west-bound immigration. Brigham Young purchased the fort in 1855, and a rock wall was erected, enclosing the fort.On the approach of Johnston's Army in 1857, Fort Bridger, together with the adjacent settlement, Fort Supply, was abandoned, after being partly destroyed by fire. Johnston's Army took possession of Fort Bridger, which continued as a military post until 1890.
Linda Byers, historic site manager at the Fort Bridger State Historic Site, said artifacts found in the dig range from an army holster, bone and glass buttons, to spent musket balls and tiny European beads that date back to the Jim Bridger trading post era.
"We have found sacks and sacks of artifacts," she said. "Some of the beads are smaller than the head of a pin. We found one small, marble sized, Prussian faceted cobalt bead that is very beautiful."
From diaries of the period, it is concluded that the wall the Mormons built was 100 feet by 100 feet, and five feet wide at the base and 15 feet tall. Both sides of the wall were mortared and the inside was filled with loose rubble material.
The dig includes 13 to 16 four-foot grids excavated by volunteer workers, including Church members from nearby areas. At the foundation level, workers found artifacts from the army. Twelve inches below the wall, they found a two-inch layer of fine ash, relics left by early trappers, and a cement-hard dirt surface.
The site manager said the archaeologist and other workers hope to continue the dig next year and re-erect part of the wall for an exhibit. The dig is under the direction of archaeologist A. Dudley Gardner of Western Wyoming College. The dig is funded in part by the Wyoming Council for the Humanities.
