With the release of Netflix’s Western limited series American Primeval, many viewers are intrigued by the historical roots of its characters and events. One of the most talked-about figures is Jim Bridger, portrayed by Shea Whigham.
History enthusiasts will recognize Bridger as one of the most iconic frontiersmen of the 1800s, while moviegoers might recall his younger depiction by Will Poulter in The Revenant (2015). Both productions share a connection, as they were written by Mark L. Smith, showcasing his deep interest in Bridger’s life.
This fascination is no surprise, given Bridger’s extraordinary journey. If you’re curious about his role in shaping the American frontier, how Fort Bridger came to be, or the man behind the legend, read on to uncover his remarkable story.
Early Life and the Call of Adventure
Jim Bridger, born on March 17, 1804, in Richmond, Virginia, grew up far from the rugged views that would later define his legacy. The son of an innkeeper, his early life was marked by tragedy.
At 13, Bridger was orphaned when both his parents passed away, leaving him to fend for himself. He began an apprenticeship with a blacksmith, but fate had other plans.
In 1822, at just 18 years old, Bridger answered a life-changing advertisement in the Missouri Gazette & Public Advertiser. General William Henry Ashley sought “enterprising young men” for an expedition across the Missouri River.
Bridger joined an adventurous group that included notable figures like Andrew Henry, Jedediah Smith, John S. Fitzgerald, and Hugh Glass, the latter famously portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant. This marked the beginning of Bridger’s journey into the untamed American West.
Becoming a Mountain Man
Bridger joined the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, a group of trappers and explorers who ventured across the vast and wild terrain of the West. From the Canadian border to Colorado, and from Idaho to Utah, the group traveled far and wide. Bridger’s exploits in these territories earned him a place among the “Mountain Men,” a title that carried the weight of resilience, survival skills, and pioneering spirit.
One of Bridger’s earliest and most debated adventures occurred in 1823. After Hugh Glass was severely injured by a bear, Bridger and another man, John Fitzgerald, were tasked with staying behind to care for him.
According to historical accounts, Fitzgerald eventually persuaded Bridger to leave Glass behind, believing he wouldn’t survive. Miraculously, Glass did survive and eventually forgave Bridger for abandoning him, considering his youth and inexperience.
Bridger’s reputation grew as he shows regions no white man had reportedly seen before. In 1824, he became the first non-Indigenous person to see the Great Salt Lake, although this claim is contested.
His journeys and achievements helped shape the legendary image of the Mountain Men, individuals who thrived in the wilderness and contributed significantly to westward expansion.
Founding Fort Bridger
As Bridger matured, he transitioned from being an adventurous trapper to establishing more permanent roots. In 1843, he founded Fort Bridger, a crucial way station and trading post for travelers on the Oregon Trail. Situated near Black’s Fork of the Green River, the fort became a hub for pioneers heading west.
Fort Bridger was frequented by prominent historical figures. Catholic priest Pierre-Jean De Smet, U.S. Army Captain Benjamin Bonneville, and Mormon leader Brigham Young were among those who visited the outpost. The infamous Donner Party also passed through the fort before their tragic journey into the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Contrary to the events depicted in American Primeval, Brigham Young and his Mormon militia did not burn down Fort Bridger or seize it permanently. While tensions between Bridger and the Mormon community did escalate, the fort survived and later became a historic site that still stands today near the Wyoming town of the same name.
Bridger’s Personal Life and Challenges
Jim Bridger’s personal life was as complex as his professional exploits. He married three times, all to Indigenous women. His first wife, Emma, was from the Flathead tribe, though some sources refer to her as Cora. They married in 1835 and had three children before her death in 1846.
Bridger’s second wife, an unnamed Ute woman, also passed away, leaving him with a daughter named Virginia. With four children to care for, Bridger married Mary Washakie, the daughter of the Shoshone Chief Washakie, in 1850. Together, they had two children.
Despite his personal tragedies, Bridger continued his work as a guide and scout, facing treacherous terrains and assisting groups in crossing the frontier. His knowledge of the land made him invaluable, even as his eyesight began to fail in his later years.
Bridger’s Role in Western Expansion
Over the decades, Jim Bridger’s contributions to westward expansion became undeniable. He guided expeditions, helped map uncharted territories, and forged paths that would later become critical for transportation and commerce.
In 1850, Bridger established the Bridger Pass while leading the Stansbury Expedition. This route would later be used by the Overland Stage, the Union Pacific Railroad, and the Pony Express. In 1864, he also pioneered the Bridger Trail, an alternative route to Montana that avoided the dangers of the Bozeman Trail.
During the Utah War of the late 1850s, Bridger worked as a scout for the U.S. Army. His knowledge of the land proved crucial during Red Cloud’s War and other conflicts. Despite being driven out of Fort Bridger by Mormon settlers at one point, he returned with Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston’s forces to reclaim his place in the region.
Bridger’s Legacy
Jim Bridger’s life was filled with adventure, hardship, and resilience. While some dismissed his stories as exaggerated “tall tales,” his accomplishments were real and significant.
Captain William F. Raynolds, who worked with Bridger during an expedition, acknowledged his remarkable skills, stating, “His errors fade into insignificance when compared with his accurate general knowledge of the country.”
Bridger’s pioneering efforts laid the groundwork for much of the West’s development. His name lives on through landmarks like Bridger Pass, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and the town of Fort Bridger.
The Final Years
In his later years, Bridger faced declining health and eyesight. By 1868, his claim to Fort Bridger had expired, and the U.S. Army had taken over the site.
He retired to a farm near Kansas City, Missouri, where he lived with his daughter Virginia. Despite his longing for the mountains, Bridger spent his final years away from the rugged wilderness that had defined his life.
Jim Bridger passed away on July 17, 1881, at the age of 77. His legacy, however, endures as a symbol of the American frontier spirit.
