Fort Bridger, Utah Territory Album photograph collection
Collection
Identifier: P1500
Scope and Contents
Leather-bound album of 24 cartes de visite from the 1860s of the United States Army officers and their wives stationed at Fort Bridger, Utah Territory in the 1860s. The album shots include one of Fort Bridger itself, and two of its sister fort in Salt Lake City, Fort Douglas. It was compiled by either Dr. Charles A. Kirkpatrick or his wife Mary Benjamin Kirkpatrick and contains images of their family members in addition to photographs of Army officers.
Dates
- circa 1860-1870
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Fort Bridger, Utah Territory Album photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator.
Permission to publish material from the Fort Bridger, Utah Territory Album photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator.
Biographical Note
Dr. Charles Alexander Kirkpatrick traveled from Illinois to California as a member of the Jersey County Company in 1849. He married Mary Benjamin and together the two lived in Rio Vista, California, where Charles practiced medicine. When the American Civil War broke out, Charles joined the Union Army as a surgeon; he served the duration of the war, from October 1861 until October 24, 1865. Mary Benjamin Kirkpatrick joined her husband at his postings at various forts, and gave birth to several children during the war. Originally stationed at Fort Ruby, Nevada Territory, Charles was transferred to Camp Douglas (made Fort Douglas in 1878) outside of Salt Lake City. From there, he transferred to Fort Douglas, Utah Territory (present day Wyoming). After the war, Charles and Mary returned to California, settling in Redwood City, California, where they raised their children and lived until their deaths.
This photograph album, compiled by Mary or Charles, depicts the men and women stationed at Fort Bridger during the 1860s, particularly the American Civil War. Fort Bridger was founded as a trading post by Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez in 1843, where it served as a juncture for several westward trails. In 1853, Bridger sold the trading post to the Mormons, who fortified the original buildings with stone and used it as a stopping point primarily for emigrants and travelers headed towards Utah. In 1857, during the Utah War, the Mormons fled the fort, burning it in their wake. The United States military occupied Fort Bridger from 1857 until 1890, using it in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars. The fort was named a Wyoming Historical Landmark and Museum in 1933.
This photograph album, compiled by Mary or Charles, depicts the men and women stationed at Fort Bridger during the 1860s, particularly the American Civil War. Fort Bridger was founded as a trading post by Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez in 1843, where it served as a juncture for several westward trails. In 1853, Bridger sold the trading post to the Mormons, who fortified the original buildings with stone and used it as a stopping point primarily for emigrants and travelers headed towards Utah. In 1857, during the Utah War, the Mormons fled the fort, burning it in their wake. The United States military occupied Fort Bridger from 1857 until 1890, using it in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars. The fort was named a Wyoming Historical Landmark and Museum in 1933.
Extent
24 Photographic Prints (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Fort Bridger, Utah Territory Album photograph collection contains 24 cartes de visite photographs depicting the officers and their wives who were stationed at Fort Bridger, Utah Territory, in the 1860s.
Arrangement
Arranged by subject
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Ken Sanders Rare Books in 2008.
Processing Information
Processed by Claire A. Kempa in 2021.
Creator
- Title
- Guide to the Fort Bridger, Utah Territory Album photograph collection
- Author
- Finding aid created by Claire A. Kempa.
- Date
- 2021
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Revision Statements
- 2021: Finding aid revised and re-encoded in Adobe Dreamweaver by Claire Kempa.
Repository Details
Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository
Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu