One of the best Paramount series of all time, “1883” shows what it was like to live through the hardships in the American West in the late 1800s. It tells the story of a group of immigrants and cowboys who face a lot of problems on their way to Oregon. The group passes through several locations on the road which are based on the actual location. Another place mentioned in the series is Fort Casper. Yes, this time that group is going to a place called Fort Casper. For this reason, we think viewers are curious to know if Fort Casper is based on a real location. Let us tell you everything tvacute.com knows about it!
Is Fort Caspar Inspired by a Real-World Location?
YES! Fort Casper is Inspired by a Real World Location and present-day use as a museum and historic site. Fort Casper was a United States Army military in Caspar, Wyoming, and was founded in 1859 near the North Platte River’s banks. It was named after 2nd Lieutenant Caspar Collins, a U.S. Army officer who died by Indians, in the Battle of the Platte Bridge Station on July 26, 1865. In addition, its other name is called, Camp Platte, Mormon Ferry, Mormon Crossing, Guinard’s Bridge and Trading Post, Platte Bridge, Platte Bridge Station. An Oregon Trail trading post and toll bridge called Platte Bridge Station was built in 1859. It is famously remembered as the site of Fort Caspar. The Army took over the post and changed its name to Platte Bridge Station to protect emigrants and a telegraph line from attacks by Lakota and Cheyenne in the ongoing wars between those two groups and the United States, which were still going on.
The Battle of Platte Bridge Station was the name given to the battle. The wagon train conflict was also known as the Battle of Red Buttes, despite the fact that it took place ten miles to the west. The Army lost 27 men from the 11th Kansas Cavalry and Lt. Collins in both actions, with at least 10 others critically wounded. Historian Robert Utley said that 60 Indians were killed and 130 were wounded in the July forays surrounding Platte Bridge Station. The Army renamed the station Fort Caspar in honor of Collins, adopting his given name to distinguish it from a fort named for Collins’ father that already existed in Colorado. Two years later, in August 1867, the fort was abandoned, and the garrison was relocated to Fort Fetterman in Douglas, Wyoming. It is now owned by the City of Casper and used as a museum and historic site.
When and why did the name of the Fort Casper place appear in the 1883 series?
The name of this place appeared in episode 9 titled “Racing Clouds” of 1883. A Native American tribe called the Lakota lives there. The caravan passes through Wyoming and arrives at their camp. But when they see the place there, they are shocked. People have been brutally murdered in the camp. James thinks that a group of horse thieves are responsible for this horrific accident. Suddenly Risa fell down like a snake bit her horse while she was walking near her campsite. Her husband, Joseph, grows up with her. But it also bites Joseph. It is the job of Shea, James, and Thomas to oversee the situation in the camp. They hear about Risa and Joseph’s injuries. After seeing the couple, Shea says they need medical help. Therefore, Shea wants the caravan to change direction and head towards Casper Fort. The site is a military camp near a town with doctors and medicines. Additionally, the gang faces a threat from the Lakota tribe as a result of a misunderstanding. Due to the fact that Fort Casper is a military camp, the group would actually be safe there. Therefore, Fort Casper is the best place for a group to visit in the short term.
