Fort Sanders was established along the emigrant trails across Wyoming to protect emigrant, military, and stage line traffic on the Laramie Plains portion of the Overland/Cherokee and Lodgepole Creek Trails, which were part of a vital transcontinental migration route used by an estimated 250,000 Americans in the 19th century. As Indian resistance threatened these transportation corridors, troops at the post protected emigrants, settlers, and especially the swing stations for the Overland Stage carrying the U.S. Mail, and beginning in 1867 they also escorted Union Pacific Railroad survey and construction crews. The troops took part in 20 major engagements and numerous minor skirmishes. By 1882, the post had served its purpose, as Indian tribes no longer threatened settlers, the railroad had been completed, and emigrant traffic had decreased; abandonment orders came in May, the buildings were sold, and the land passed into private ownership. The fort, which included cavalry and infantry units, followed standard military plans and had log, frame, and stone buildings around a central parade ground, including the commandant's and officers' quarters, hospital, barracks, stables, guardhouse, powder house, and cemetery. Today U.S. 287 bisects the site, leaving the parade grounds west of the highway, and only two structures remain: the powder house to the northeast and the guard house to the west.