Old Bedlam is a photograph by Jon Burch Photography which was uploaded on July 10th, 2014.
Old Bedlam
Passing the sites of missing units of Officers' Row, one goes by this two-storied frame structure which has dominated the scene since the late summer... more
Title
Old Bedlam
Artist
Jon Burch Photography
Medium
Photograph - Digital Capture/faa Watermark Will Not Be On Your Finished Photograph.
Description
Passing the sites of missing units of "Officers' Row," one goes by this two-storied frame structure which has dominated the scene since the late summer of 1849, when it was partially completed of lumber sawed locally by horsepower and millwork hauled overland from Fort Leavenworth. While post headquarters - home of the commanding officer until 1867 and often the stronghold of bachelor officers - countless notables, including soldier, civilian, and Indian sat at its dinner and council tables.
"Old Bedlam" is the oldest military building at Fort Laramie. It was originally designed to be a bachelor officer quarters, but served many other purposes including being the Post Headquarters during the 41-year history of the Fort. Most of the people important in the drama of the westward expansion of the United States stood in its rooms or walked its halls. The building has been intimately associated with many historic events, among the most dramatic of which was John "Portugee" Phillips' 236-mile, 4-day ride through December blizzards with the news of the Fetterman disaster at Fort Phil Kearny in 1866. Its brick-filled, clapboard walls echoing to historic tumult and social gaiety, acquiring the name "Old Bedlam," which was immortalized in Gen. Charles King's novel Laramie, or the Queen of Bedlam, first published in 1889. Supposedly, the name, "Old Bedlam" arose from the activities of the young officers when the building was used as the BOQ in the same manner as some college fraternities have developed an "Animal House" reputation. Some of the timbers from the original stockade fort were used in its construction while the remainder of the original fort was recycled as firewood. Old Bedlam is the oldest standing building in the state of Wyoming.
Following the end of World War II, restoration of the various buildings was undertaken. Old Bedlam has now been restored as shown here, as a part of the national monument. As originally constructed, it had side wings and outside stairways. These were removed and the present rear wing added in 1881.
Image copyright 2014 Jon Burch Photography
Uploaded
July 10th, 2014
