They called him The Pathfinder. John C. Fremont headed west in 1842 on a mission to map the Oregon Trail, and he made the first thorough exploration of South Pass, guided by mountain man Kit Carson. Fremont’s writings and his later success in national politics helped popularize the frontier and attract new settlers to a growing country. He helped Wyoming’s first citizens find a path of their own – and gave a name to Fremont County, Wyoming.

More From Y95 Country