On January 29, 1863, in this vicinity, an estimated 400 men, women, and children of the Northwestern Shoshone Nation were brutally massacred by the United States Army California Volunteers from Fort Douglas, Utah, under the command of Colonel Patrick E. Connor. The attack took place in the early morning hours against a group of people with limited defense and without peaceful means first being sought when a conflict arose. As a result of the encounter, 23 soldiers died. Chief Sagwitch and other survivors joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, established a thriving farming community known as Washakie, and many helped build the Logan Temple.