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Following the Trail of Utah’s Buffalo Soldiers

Following the Trail of Utah’s Buffalo Soldiers

Written By Rosie Mansfield

Fort Douglas | Fort Douglas Military Museum

No matter how distant historical events may seem, their impact on the modern world shows up in fascinating ways. Such is the case of the Buffalo Soldiers — the first U.S. Army regiments composed exclusively of African American soldiers.

Established by Congress in 1866, the regiments were to help support the nation's westward expansion. The nickname "Buffalo Soldiers" was likely given by the Native American tribes they faced in battle. Among the military units were the 9th cavalry and 24th infantry, stationed in Utah to protect settlers in the Uinta Basin. And their contributions extended beyond military service; they established trails and roads that are now well-known interstates used by travelers across Utah.

Their legacy is particularly strong in areas like Helper and Price, where they built infrastructure and patrolled roads. And now their legacy stands to gain even more recognition thanks to the Utah Buffalo Soldier Heritage Trail Project.

An Exhibit With a Lasting Legacy

The trail project was originally inspired by the Utah Black Veterans Exhibit presented by the Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Culture Foundation. Robert Burch, the foundation’s founder, explains, “We [created] this veterans exhibit so that all of Utah gets to see what all of Utah veterans look like.” Its success spurred a longer-term intent to honor and preserve the history of the state’s Buffalo Soldiers. The project is now a partnership between the Utah State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the Cultural Site Stewardship Program and the Sema Hadithi Foundation, with key partners including the Bureau of Land Management, the National Forest Service and museums and counties across Utah.

The project was never meant to last more than six months, but as Burch, his wife Alice and Utah Historic Preservation Officer Chris Merritt researched, they discovered the rich history of Black men serving in Utah-based military groups.

Through historical markers, educational programs and exhibits, the trail will highlight significant sites where the Buffalo Soldiers served in Utah. SHPO and the Sema Hadithi Foundation are working together to develop a booklet and story map to connect the past and the present, providing an interactive opportunity for people to experience the trail. Ian Wright with SHPO says he sees this as “an opportunity to learn and experience these places and stories in the actual locations where [history] happened.” There’s also plans to expand the project to include the histories of Black cowboys and baseball players, and to offer educational tours along the route.

Burch says that he has been working to connect the trail to the entire Four Corners region, expanding the story in collaboration with African-American historical organizations in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. He also says to look out for a commemorative graphic novel that tells the origin story of the Buffalo Soldiers. There’s even talk of a state resolution to formally recognize the trail.

Buffalo Soldiers photographed at Fort Duschesne.

Photo: Fort Douglas Military Museum

Following the Trail

The grand opening of the Buffalo Soldier Heritage Trail is scheduled for June 2025. Below are some of the locations the trail will include.

Fort Douglas Military Museum

The Fort Douglas Military Museum is located on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City. It preserves the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, particularly of the 24th Infantry Regiment, which was stationed there. The 24th Infantry was one of the largest Buffalo Soldier regiments and was well known for its distinguished 22-piece band and orchestra. The band performed in parades across Utah, was influential on jazz music of that era and made a significant impact on marching band traditions of historically Black colleges. The museum houses the largest collection of Buffalo Soldier artifacts in the state and also includes the Fort Douglas Cemetery, where some of the soldiers are buried.

Moab Region

One of the first recorded movements of the 9th Cavalry into Utah took place in 1878, when soldiers were scouting the Spanish Valley, the Abajo Mountains, Elk Mountain and Cane Springs. The 9th Cavalry returned in 1885, moving through the Uintah and Ouray Reservation before being stationed at Fort Duchesne the following year.

Fort Duchesne

Fort Duchesne served as a significant post for the Buffalo Soldiers, particularly the 9th Cavalry, which was stationed there from 1886 to 1903. During this time, Uintah County became home to the second-largest Black population in Utah. For a period between 1890 and 1894, the Buffalo Soldiers were the only military presence at the fort. When the regiment was called to serve in Cuba in 1900, local residents petitioned to keep them stationed at Fort Duchesne, fearing that their departure would be detrimental to the community.

Beyond their military duties, the soldiers engaged in community activities, such as boxing matches and baseball games, fostering camaraderie between themselves and local residents. While the original buildings of Fort Duchesne have been torn down, the area now serves as the headquarters for the Ute Nation. Wright notes that the first Black American general who fought in World War II, Benjamin O. Davis, was a Buffalo Soldier at Fort Duchesne. When Fort Duchesne opened up their collection to the State Historic Preservation Office, “We were able to find photos that we've never seen before,” says Wright.

A historical photo of Buffalo Soldiers in Vernal.

Photo: Uintah County Regional History Center

Carter Military Road

The Carter Military Road was a key route connecting the Uinta Basin to Fort Bridger. This road was frequently used by Buffalo Soldiers and supply wagons, ensuring access between remote settlements. Visitors traveling through the Uinta Mountains can still see remnants of this historical route today.

Uintah County Heritage Museum

The Uintah County Heritage Museum, located in Vernal, provides a comprehensive look at the history and legacy of those who settled in the Uinta Basin, including the Buffalo Soldiers. The museum features literature and historical documentation detailing the soldiers’ interactions with the Ute people, offering insight into both cooperation and conflict. In addition to its permanent historical exhibits, the museum also hosts rotating art displays.

Strawberry Valley

In 1888, Strawberry Valley was the site of a major joint military training exercise aimed at modernizing military tactics. This exercise brought together forces from Fort Douglas and Fort Duchesne, including the 9th Cavalry of Buffalo Soldiers. Their primary responsibility in the area was to patrol travel routes and provide security in the event of conflicts.

“We have really cool photographs of their tents, and some of the trees that were in the photo are still there today, so you can stand there and literally put yourself back in time,” says Wright. Today, visitors to Strawberry Reservoir can enjoy one of Utah’s premier fishing destinations while taking in the surrounding wildlife and reflecting on the Buffalo Soldiers’ historical role in the region.

Visitors at Strawberry Valley.

Photo: Utah State Historic Preservation Office

A historical photo of Buffalo Soldiers at Strawberry Valley.

Photo: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Library

Helper Museum

Buffalo Soldiers played a crucial role in infrastructure development between Price and Fort Duchesne. They worked to improve the roads for more efficient transportation of supplies and are said to have constructed a telegraph line between the two locations. These soldiers also provided armed escort to agents transporting large sums of money designated as annuities for Native American tribes.

The presence of outlaws, including rumors of the notorious Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch gang, heightened the risks of these missions. As a result, the 9th Cavalry was stationed at train depots in Price and Helper to safeguard against potential robberies. Visitors can learn more about the Buffalo Soldiers’ contributions to the region at the Helper Museum, which houses relevant artifacts and historical documentation. (Read: A Walking Tour of Helper, Utah)

A view of downtown Helper.

Photo: Andrew Burr

Nine Mile Canyon and Gate Canyon

The Buffalo Soldiers were instrumental in building early infrastructure in Utah, including the development of roads and communication networks. In 1886, the 9th Cavalry constructed the original road and telegraph line through Nine Mile Canyon, paving the way for future settlers. Visitors to the canyon can still see carvings believed to have been left behind by these soldiers on the rock walls, serving as a lasting testament to their presence and contributions.

Nine Mile Canyon

Photo: Ben Grimes

Additional Information

Through the diligent research and hard work of Utah State Historic Preservation Office, the Cultural Site Stewardship Program, and the Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Cultural Foundation, visitors to Utah have a unique opportunity to explore the state’s natural beauty while being immersed in the important and previously little-known historical impact of the Buffalo Soldiers.

Visitors can contact the Utah State Historic Preservation Office or the Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Culture Foundation for further information about the Buffalo Soldier Heritage Trail Project.

Buffalo Soldier Heritage Trail

About the Author – Rosie Mansfield

Rosie Mansfield is a product manager and a freelance writer. After growing up on a farm in rural Missouri, she has traveled the world by air, by bike and by horse, both for business and for adventure. She spends time outdoors as much as possible, often accompanied by her wife Katie and their dogs Blue and Pickles. When indoors, she can be found making hot sauce, practicing her tenor saxophone or playing cards with friends and family.

History & Heritage in Utah

The history of the land now known as Utah is millions of years old and is a major source of the world’s knowledge of dinosaurs and other ancient plants and animals through its many discovery sites. The Ancestral Puebloan and Fremont cultures lived in this area about a thousand years ago and Utah’s lands are rich with evidence of their lives found in pictographs and petroglyphs panels. And Native American nations continue to contribute to Utah's rich cultural heritage.

At the time of the American Revolution, Europeans started exploring the area. Then, in 1847, Mormon pioneers (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) arrived in the Salt Lake Valley and established settlements throughout the Intermountain West. All of these early cultures wove, and many continue to weave, the tapestry that is Utah.

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