Near Douglas in Converse County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Natural Bridge and the Oregon Trail
While Native Americans were probably well aware of Natural Bridge, the earliest to record their visits were New Orleans newspaperman Matthew Field and Steadman Tighman, a young doctor from Baltimore. Both were traveling companions of Scottish nobleman William Drummond Stewart. An early day tourist, Stewart had organized several hunting and exploring expeditions into the Rocky Mountains and traveled strictly for pleasure. In 1843 he was making his final trip west.
On July 12, Field wrote: "Rode off in advance of the camp with Sir Wm, to visit a remarkable mountain gorge - a "natural bridge" of solid rock, over a rapid torrent, the arch being regular as tho' shaped by art - 30 feet from base to ceiling, and 50 to the top of the bridge - wild cliffs, 300 feet perpendicular beetled us, and the noisy current swept along among huge fragments of rock at our feet. We had a dangerous descent, and forced our way through
Dr. Tighman: "The 'Natural Bridge' is perhaps one of the greatest curiosities we saw in the whole of our interesting expedition. It is at the extremity of a valley formed of an immense chasm, with rocky slides – and a perpendicular height of 300 feet – through which flows a beautiful chrystal stream."
In 1846, James Frazier Reed of the ill-fated Donner Party was aware of the Bridge. In his diary, he wrote, "We made this day 18 miles and Camped on Beaver Creek. here is a natural Bridge 1 1/2 miles above camp."
During the California Gold Rush, a few "Forty-niners" found time to visit Natural Bridge. In a letter dated July 4, 1849 while camped at Deer Creek, Cephas Arms of the Fayette Rovers wrote: "Where we camped last night, and we meant to spend the 4th, instead of coming eighteen miles through the dust thick enough to choke us, if we could fin grass, was quite a natural curiosity in the shape of a natural bridge. It is thrown over the river where we camped, "Fourche Boise river," and is a perfect arch one hundred feet long and eighteen feet high of solid stone. On either side the perpendicular rocks rise to the height of one hundred and fifty feet. The bridge is just at the foot of the mountain through
The bridge was named after Adonijah S. Welch of Jonesville, Michigan. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Welch was later the first president of Iowa State University.
On June 26, 1850, Isaac R. Starr wrote: "Up near the high cliffs there is an arch of solid stone over this river, 40 or 50 feet wide and 15 feet high. I passed up the river, rode through beneath the arch, and viewed with delight the grand works of nature."
Erected 2005 by The Oregon-California Trail Association and Colorado Interstate Gas Company.
Marker series. This marker is included in the California Trail, and the Oregon Trail marker series.
Location. 42° 44.064′ N, 105° 36.693′ W. Marker is near Douglas, Wyoming, in Converse County Touch for map. Natural Bridge Road can be accessed from Exit 151 of Interstate 25. The marker is located at the end of Natural Bridge Road in Ayres Natural Bridge Park. Marker is in this post office area: Douglas WY 82633, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Formation of Ayres Natural Bridge (here, next to this marker); Oregon Trail (approx. 1.7 miles away); Ayres Natural Bridge Park (approx. 4.1 miles away); Sharp, Franklin and Taylor, (approx. 4.6 miles away); Junction of the Oregon Trail (approx. 6½ miles away); a different marker also named The Oregon Trail (approx. 7.1 miles away); Bill Hooker (approx. 7.1 miles away); Fort Fetterman (approx. 9.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Douglas.
Categories. • Environment • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers •
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on January 27, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 594 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 27, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.