James Mason Diary FORT BRIDGER Wyoming July 12, 1850

Diary of James Mason July 10 – traveled 21 m & En on Blacks fork traveled 15 miles without watter came to Black fork then 3 ¾ to hams fork thence to Camp July 11 – traveled 30 M & En on Black fork mistaken in the road & traveled long after night next morning Saw 2 men tied up for Stealing a horse & mule July 12 – traveled 9 M & E on a smal creek & good Spring passed fort Bridger there is no troops here but a trading post Kept by french & half breeds Fort Bridger From Green River, WY to Fort Bridger, WY

Diary of James Mason California Oregon Trail from Independence, MO - to Hangtown (Placerville, CA) Independence Placerville Ft Bridger - July 12

Fort Bridger, Wyoming Fort Bridger was first established in 1843 as a trading post by Jim Bridger and his partner, Louis Vasquez, on the on Black's Fork of the Green River. Planning to trade both with the Indians and the westward bound emigrants, the first "fort" was composed of two double-log houses about 40 feet long, joined by a pen for horses, and provided a small blacksmith shop. Westward bound emigrants who looked forward to the stop and a break from the long monotonous days of traveling, were often disappointed upon their arrival at Fort Bridger. Unlike Fort Laramie, a "civilized" outpost, in their minds, Fort Bridger was little more than a crude collection rough-hewn log buildings.

Fort Bridger, Wyoming

Jim Bridger

Fort Bridger, WY 1850 Fort Bridger, Wyoming

END James Mason Diary FORT BRIDGER Wyoming July 12, 1850