The Evansville area has a unique historical background. Between 1851 and 1868, a trading post and bridge were located
just north of the Town of Evansville's present site. The post protected a strategic crossing of the North Platte River on the
Oregon Trail and played a protective role for emigrants with hostile Indian tribes. The bridge structure was about
835 feet long, 18 feet wide, and was built about ten feet above the high water mark. The bridge was made of
timber three inches thick and 18 feet long sawn by hand with a whip saw. The heavy timbers were hewn and hauled
from 6 to 10 miles from the mountains. The timbers were braced, stayed, and bolted with substantial iron bolts
in a work man like manner. The bridge was built on 23 piers of cribs of hewn timbers filled with stone hauled at least five
miles for the purpose. This bridge was called Richard's Bridge and is also know as Reshaw Bridge today. Richard charged
from $2.50 to $6.00 per wagon for bridge toll. Most emigrants did not consider these tolls exorbitant, particularly when
they gave thought to the alternative of swimming or floating wagons across the North Platte River at high water. He
usually charged from four to ten cents per head for livestock to cross the bridge.
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Richard not only accepted whiskey and other valuables in exchange for tolls, but also odds and ends of household goods that
by this point in the journey might be only an encumbrance and yet of some use at the settlement. One emigrant noted that
Richard accepted "mother's baby wagon" for their toll. He also traded rested and well-fed draft stock for trail-worn stock.
Blacksmiths at his shop, using coal from the nearby mine, provided a much needed repair service, available at only a few other
points. Richard and his partners employed a full-time accountant at the post from its first opening. They brought skilled
carpenters from St. Louis from time to time for repairs. Substantial profits here enabled Richard to finance other eminent traders.
From this source also came the money that built a store in Denver and ranches at other points.
Reshaw Bridge was partially burned by the Indians in 1867 and then was dismantled by the West Virginian troops protecting
Fort Caspar. The lumber was used to reinforce their barracks and for firewood. The modern version of the bridge stands today
at Reshaw Park in Evansville.
Also located near the trading post were two military camps - Fort Clay, know as Camp Davis in 1855 and Camp Payne from
1858-59. The camps were composed of adobe and log buildings. Remains of approximately forty fireplaces were found in
recent years. In 1963, skeletons of nine persons were found in the area when a new housing development started. After being
examined by professionals, these skeletons were buried in a tomb just north of the Evansville Elementary School.
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