Bessemer Bend, known to pioneer travelers as Red Buttes because of the nearby rock formations, represents the last crossing of the North Platte River for emigrants on the south bank. Fur traders pioneered it. Robert Stuart and his party built a cabin near this spot in November 1812 on their return trip to St. Louis from Astoria, Oregon, intending to stay the winter. Although fear of Indian attack led them to abandon the cabin, it represents the first Euro-American structure in Wyoming. Early Oregon Trail emigrants used this crossing when the water within the Platte was low in order to avoid paying tolls to cross the Platte River in Casper at Richard's (Reshaw's) Bridge or by using the Mormon Ferry.
Information for this geocache was provided/obtained by the Natrona County Historic Preservation Commission. http://www.nchistorical.info/index.html.