"We commenced the Fort which was a stockade 80 ft. square built of Cotton wood trees set on end sunk 2 ½ feet in the ground and standing about 15 feet above with two bastions 8 ft. square at the opposite angles. On the 4th of August the Fort was completed. And on the 5th the 'Stars and Stripes' were unfurled to the breeze at Sunrise in the center of a savage and uncivilized country over an American Trading Post."

Osborne Russell, Journal of a Trapper, edited by Aubrey L. Haines (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1955).

James Pritchard, July 1, 1849

"At 6 P M we came to a large creek one of the forks [Ross's Fork] of the Port Neuf River, and encamped for the night. The grass was rather indifferent being principally wild barley. Today I found several bunches of roses, and they brought to mind recolections of the past which were exeedingly pleasant to reflect upon. Notwithstanding I was away in the midst of an uninhabited (except by wild beasts) wild mountain scenary, weary of a long and fatigueing journey, covered with dust, and immerced in care & anxiety, Still I found that my sensibilities were not so stu[lt]ified as to have lost all tast for the beautiful in nature... ."

"Monday, July 2 - Just as we were leaving camp this morning it commenced raining, and continued till 10 A.M. We are today in the vally of several rivers. To wit--Port Neuf, Panack [Bannock], & Snake or Lewis's fork of the Columbia River. Fort Hall stands on the left bank of Lewis's fork or the Snake. It is surrounded by a vast plain, cut through and through with Rivers, creeks, branches & Sloughs running in every direction. Ant to all appearances one stream running paralell with anoth[er] in oposit directions, and but a short distance from each other. There is plenty of timber in this vally."

James Pritchard, cont.

"Fort Hall is occupied by English traders. They pack their goods from Astoria and other trading posts on the Pacific cost of Oregon. The buildings are composed of Sun dried brick. They have vast herds of Cattle & horses & Mules. They milk a great number of Cows and make a great deal of butter & Cheese. Their stock runs at large on the plaines which is covered with fine Grass, and every evening & morning you'll see several boys on horseback driveing up the stock. There are several families liveing here--some French, some English, and some Americans. It was quite a pleasant sight to see White women & children. Distance 20 ms."

The Overland Diary of James A. Pritchard. Edited by Dale Morgan, Old West Publishing Company, Denver, CO: Fred Rostenstock, 1959.

Tipi sketch

Theodore Talbot, September 14, 1843

"Paid a visit to Capt. Grant. Fort Hall is a small and rather ill constructed Fort, built of 'Dobies.' It was established in the summer of 1834 by Nathaniel Wyeth, a yankee. He could not compete with the H.B. [Hudson's Bay] Compy and finally sold out to them. The Fort is near the entrance of Portneuf into Snake River. The river bottoms are wide and have some fertile lands, but much is injured by the slat deposits of the waters from the neighboring hills. Wheat, turnips have been grown here with success. Cattle thrive well."

The Journals of Theodore Talbot.

Original site of Fort Hall, 1999

Directions: Exit off I-15 north of Pocatello at Fort Hall, Idaho. Obtain detailed directions and permission at tribal offices.

Must see: Fort Hall Museum.

Current Observations/Journal Entry:

"This area is a riparian area; there is an extended marsh or wetland that extends from the river. The cat tails are everywhere and the grass is 3 to 4 feet high! The mosquitoes attack with a vengeance!!!! We try applying bug spray in the car before we exit because the little pests are swarming the windows in the hundreds; this is not a great idea, however, because we are inhaling fumes in the limited airspace of the car!"

Fort Hall, 1849. ISHS #1893-B