Since excavations began in April, 1983, some 1400 artifacts have been uncovered from the Richard’s (Reshow) Trading Post and Camp Payne site near Evansville. Richards was a French-Canadian entrepreneur who built a bridge across the North Platte in 1853 to be used by the Mormons and Oregon Trail immigrants. Subsequently the U.S. Army moved in and built Ft. Clay and Camp Davis. In 1858 Camp Payne was built.

By using metal detectors and standard archaeological methods, coins, rings, leather material, military and civilian buttons, bullets, minnie balls, bottles, pottery, square nails and dozens of other articles have been excavated.

Numerous red and black ceramic clay tobacco pipes have been identified.

The bridge was destroyed in 1866-67. The restored south abutment can be seen today at the Reshow Park.