Lesson Learned

Documented archaeology at Fort Phil Kearny began in 1961 and continued in 1970, 1991-92, 1999, and 2000. Gene Galloway’s initial work salvaged artifacts during county road construction. In 1970-71, George Frison studied the site and determined the locations of the stockade, gate, southeast blockhouse, and flagpole. In 1991 and 1992, Richard Fox searched for the southwest blockhouse, sutler store, and post commander’s residence. In 1999-2000, Tom Larson and Lewis Somers used subsurface mapping techniques to provide images of the underground remains of the upper stockade and its diagonal blockhouses. These studies greatly improved understanding of the fort site by confirming many historic features, including the locations of the upper stockade, main gate, blockhouse, gun bastion, sutler store, and commander’s house, identifying various construction techniques, and recovering many personal artifacts. The work also showed that period historic maps are reasonably accurate, but questions remain, including the exact location of the magazine, the appearance of unidentified buildings in ground radar research, and the absence of some historically recorded buildings. Archaeology has deepened understanding of Fort Phil Kearny, tested the reliability of the historical record, and pointed toward new directions for study.

Wyoming · United States