Jim Bridger

Born on St. Patrick’s Day, 1804, this Virginian left to beaver trap when he was 18 years old. His travels took him far beyond the upper Missouri. He was the first European to gaze upon the Great Salt Lake in 1824. While developing his skills as a trapper and mountain man he became intimately familiar with nearly the entire American West. This knowledge allowed him to scout for the Army and layout overland routes for freight companies and the Union Pacific railroad. He passed away on July 17, 1881 at his farm not far from Kansas City, Missouri.

More to come!