1825 Rocky Mountain Rendezvous - Burnt Fork, Wyoming
N 41° 01.612 W 109° 59.700
12T E 584488 N 4542225
The site of one of the first Rocky Mountain Rendezvous was held here in 1825.
Waymark Code: WMBMEB
Location: Wyoming, United States
Date Posted: 06/02/2011
Views: 13
The historic marker is along highway 414 between McKinnon and Lonetree, Wyoming.
The Wyoming plaque reads:
1825 ROCKY MOUNTAIN RENDEZVOUS
“When all had come in. he (Ashley) opened his goods, and there was a general jubilee… We constituted quite a little town, numbering at least eight hundred , … half were women and children. There were some…who had not seen any groceries, such as coffee, sugar, etc. for several months. The whiskey went off as freely as water, even at the exorbitant price he sold it for. All kinds of sports were indulged in with a heartiness that would astonish more civilized societies.” Take from. The Life and Adventures of James P. Beckwourth, as told to Thomas D. Boner, this passage describes a raucus social event: the rendezvous. Here, mountain men swapped stories, tested their skills, and shared news of friends. The annual event was actually begun as a time saving measure whereby trappers could replenish supplies and trade furs, without traveling to St. Louis each summer. North of this point on Henrys Fork of the Green River, between Birch and Burnt Fork Creeks, the first direction of William Ashley the gathering was planned for the Green River, but was moved up Henrys Fork because that site provided better forage for animals. One-hundred twenty trappers gathered to barter their furs at Burnt Fork. Among those assembled were some of the industry’s most colorful characters: General Ashley, Jedediah Smith, Bill Sublette, Davey Jackson. Tom Fitzpatrick, Etlenne Provost, James Beckwourth and a still green Jim Bridger. On July 2, 1825 , Ashley and his men headed for St. Louis with aq load of furs worth $50,000.
Held annually thorough out the region until 1840, when the demand for beaver pelts degreased, the rendezvous is remembered as one of the western frontiers most colorful traditions. Modern day mountain men still reenact these 19th century “fur fairs”.
Marker Name: 1825 Rocky Mountain Rendezvous
Marker Type: Rural Roadside
Addtional Information:
There are about 400 state historical markers in Wyoming. Since Markeroni started, the web site has stated that these are due to go online, but we haven't seen it yet. State markers or informational signs are big wooden hanging signs with cross-posts. They have "Wyoming" above them. We have done our best to distinguish between state and other markers, but if you find a sign in the state list that doesn't have "Wyoming" above it, it is probably a local or wildcard marker.
Group Responsible for Placement: Not listed
Date Dedicated: Not listed
Marker Number: Not listed
Web link(s) for additional information: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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