Ruins at Fort Fred Steele, Wyoming. Located on the west bank of the North Platte River, the site was selected by Colonel Richard Dodge, and named for Major General Frederick Steele, a Civil War hero. In the beginning, the post was little more than a tent city, until some 300 troops were tasked with building the fort. In addition to the troops, more civilians were hired to assist with the construction. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.