| Named for William Sublette, Fort William was the first trading establishment ever built at what later became an important location, the confluence of the North Platte and Laramie rivers. The work began with 13 men on June 1, 1834. (Wyeth) "William L. Sublette has built such a fort as Fort Clark (Mandans) on Laramie Fork of the river Platte and can make it a central place for the Sioux and Cheyenne trade." (Fontenelle, Sept. 17, 1834.) "Fort Laramie was built in 1835 by Robert Campbell and was called Fort Williams." (Wislizenus, 1839) The post was located on the left bank of the Laramie River about a mile above its mouth. Sublette sold it to Fitzpatrick and Bridger in 1835, and these gentlemen entered into relations with Fontenelle the same year, thus virtually turning the post over to the American Fur Company. The post was then, or soon after, rechristened Fort John. (Chittenden, 1902) |
