2021-02-23 10:55:10
5 WAYS TO EXPERIENCE RICH WESTERN HISTORY For history buffs and Old West enthusiasts alike, Sweetwater County offers a unique view into the past. A number of historic sites, trails and museums give you an opportunity to experience what it was like in the days of the pioneers and beyond. From dinosaur fossils to Native American artifacts, come create your most memorable historic adventure with these five must-see attractions. #1 HISTORIC PIONEER TRAILS The opportunities chased in the 1800s by pioneers who braved unsettled lands are still evident in the network of Southwest Wyoming’s historic trails. Just like the wooden wheels carved the land, it’s easy to carve out an adventure of your own. No other place in the United States has more miles of still-visible pioneer trails than Sweetwater County. The Oregon Trail Easily one of the most famous pioneer trails in the United States, the Oregon Trail was a major thoroughfare that guided about 400,000 people across the vast expanse of the West from 1846 to 1869. The 2,000-mile trail helped expand the California Gold Rush and connected the Missouri River Valley with the Oregon coast. The stretch through Sweetwater County is one of the most intact today. HOW TO ACCESS IT: Fort Bridger State Historic Park, Pilot Buttes Trail Site or South Pass State Historic Site. Pony Express Route In the early 1860s, the Pony Express passed through Sweetwater County during the height of its service. As the main source of information from coast to coast, riders accessed a series of relay stations along a central trail. The terrain offered mail carriers expanses where they could ride a horse at full gallop and then change horses at the next station, which cut mail delivery times by 10 days. HOW TO ACCESS IT: Fort Bridger State Historic Park and South Pass State Historic Park. Cherokee Trail Also known as the Trappers Trail, Cherokee Trail was primarily used by cattlemen driving herds north and south and by droves of hopefuls seeking their fortunes in gold. The area’s economic growth and the settlement of the West owes much to this historic trail that ran from Oklahoma through Kansas and Colorado into Wyoming. HOW TO ACCESS IT: Take an AWD vehicle just north of Baggs to the old Emigrant Trail, east of US-191. It eventually crosses Dans Creek, Little Bitter Creek and Sage Creek (twice) before arriving at the Green River just above the Blacks Fork River Confluence. Overland Trail Famously used by the Overland Stage Company in the mid-1800s, the Overland Trail was used frequently as a mail route to Salt Lake City. The Overland Stage Company had purchased the bankrupt assets of the Pony Express in 1861 which created an alternate route to Oregon and California, paving the way for significant development in those areas. Today, the Overland Trail is one of the most accessible pioneer trails in Sweetwater County. HOW TO ACCESS IT: Point of Rocks and Granger along I-80. Mormon Trail Taking a leap of faith, thousands of Latter Day Saints made their way west in the mid-1800s to get to their church in the heart of Salt Lake City. The Mormon Trail passed through a substantial portion of Sweetwater County, following roughly the same route of the Oregon Trail and the California and Pony Express Trails. HOW TO ACCESS IT: Fort Bridger State Historic Park or South Pass State Historic Park. Outlaw Trail It’s only natural for those who break the law to want to avoid any chance of crossing paths with those that enforce the law. So in their days of lawlessness, outlaws such as Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid and Jesse James made a trail of their own through Southern Wyoming. But today, they’re not around to hold you up on the Outlaw Trail. HOW TO ACCESS IT: Take US-191 south to the Utah border, just east of Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Stop by the old hideout, Minnie’s Gap, while you’re there. Pilot Butte Overlook In the middle of the 19th century, Pilot Butte marked a convergence of Indian-migrant relations and the Transcontinental Telegraph. As you read the interpretive signs along the ruts of the trails including the Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, Pony Express Route and the California National Historic Trail, it’s hard not to imagine caravans of wagons passing by. HOW TO ACCESS IT: About 12 miles west of Farson on HWY-28. Old Emigrant Trail During the mid-1800s, migrants from the eastern United States made a long journey westward seeking better lives, freedom from religion and even the prosperity of gold. The Old Emigrant Trail is an overlap of the Oregon Trail, California Trail and Mormon Trail. The trail passes through Sweetwater County and still carries the marks of the migrants who chased new opportunities in the West. HOW TO ACCESS IT: Take the Overland Trail to Fort LeClede and turn southwest until it meets up with the Cherokee Trail on the Little Bitter Creek. Follow the trail to Lone Tree Station and on to Fort Bridger, then go northwest through the Bridger Antelope Trap. #2 WHITE MOUNTAIN PETROGLYPHS Etched into the sandstone walls of White Mountain, a unique version of Southwest Wyoming’s history is told. The Plains and Great Basin Native Americans who lived in this area anywhere from 200 to 1,000 years ago left a legacy of their lifestyle in the form of hundreds of fascinating carvings. Located in the Upper Wasatch formation, the White Mountain Petroglyphs are a permanent reminder of the ancient people that called Sweetwater County home. With a 300-foot cliff face as their canvas, the area’s earliest-known human inhabitants created rock art that tells stories of a time long ago. Anyone can learn about Southwest Wyoming’s history in the pages of a book or with a click of the mouse, but not everyone gets to view the stories told by those who lived it. HOW TO ACCESS IT: Head up US-191 about 10 miles north of Rock Springs. Turn right at CR 4-18 (at the sign that reads Petroglyphs, Sand Dunes, Boar’s Tusk), then left at CR 4-17, and drive about 14 miles on the dirt road until you reach the White Mountain Petroglyphs sign. Turn left onto the rougher dirt road and drive about two miles until you reach the BLM parking lot. From here, you’re on foot for a ½-mile, on a packed foot trail to the petroglyphs. Make sure to travel in a fueled-up AWD vehicle in nice weather with plenty of daylight. Pack food and water and let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return. #3 THE RELIANCE TIPPLE Around the turn of the 20th century, there appeared to be no stopping the industrial engines of the American economy. Fueling much of this growth was coal, and Wyoming was a significant provider of this resource. The mining and railroad industries gave birth to towns throughout much of the state, many which all but disappeared. But the spirit of the mining towns still seems to linger. In Sweetwater County, you can visit the Reliance Tipple, where the remains of a coal mining town and its structures show the often-overlooked story of an industry that powered America forward. Built entirely by the Union Pacific Coal Company, the town of Reliance came into existence in the first decade of the 20th century. To handle the massive amount of coal that was being mined, the railroad built a tipple in town, where millions of tons of coal were sized and sorted by men, women and machines onto waiting railroad cars. Then in 1936 a new tipple was built entirely of steel and iron which waits today to tell visitors the rich mining stories of old. You can get a sense of the historic mining period by taking a self-guided tour of the tipple. No need to bring a pickaxe though, coal is no longer mined here, and any spirits you might come across mean you no harm. HOW TO SEE IT: Take US-191 three miles north of Rock Springs and turn east on Reliance Road. You’ll see the steel tipple about two miles ahead. Park along the footpath and take a two minute walk to the tipple’s first interpretive sign. #4 THE EXPEDITION OF JOHN WESLEY POWELL Expedition Island is a Registered Historic Landmark, marking the starting point for John Wesley Powell’s expeditions in 1869 and 1871. Powell’s exploration of the Grand Canyon is generally considered one of the last documentations of unknown land in the continental United States. The community park is a great family gathering spot with a play area and numerous recreational opportunities. *See Page 14 for more information on Expedition Island in Green River. #5 FOSSILS OF LAKE GOSIUTE Time travel to the Eocene Era at Lake Gosiute, once home to a diverse population of strange creatures that flourished in the lush vegetation and tropical shores. Fast-forward 58 million years and it’s an archaeologist’s paradise with fossil-rich soil that tells tales of ecosystems past. The lake once stretched from Pinedale, Wyoming in the north to Manila, Utah in the south, and it spanned as far as Rawlins, Wyoming to the east and Lyman, Wyoming to the west. If you have a keen eye for fossils, you’re sure to find a few in the area. To enjoy interpretive exhibits and tours, make sure to stop by the visitor center at Fossil Butte National Monument on US-30, just east of Kemmerer. HOW TO SEE IT: From I-80, take exit 103 (College Drive) and continue for about a mile. The destination is on your right. WWCC Natural History Museum 2500 College Drive, Rock Springs, WY 82901 (307) 382-1600 www.westernwyoming.edu/campus-map/exhibits-on-campus/natural-history.php INDUSTRY IN SWEETWATER COUNTY It’s hard not to notice that the industrial roots of Southwest Wyoming are alive and well. Combined with the pioneer spirit of the past, Sweetwater County is still a pioneering leader of the world’s energy industry. The booming days of coal mining’s past have given way to new and innovative coal-mining practices in the area such as coal gasification and clean coal technology, which helps supply dependable energy nationwide. Sweetwater County is also home to the most massive and easily mineable deposits of trona in the world. Trona is the raw material for soda ash, and it’s used to make glass, paper and several other common products. Oil and natural gas production are major components of Sweetwater County’s industrial makeup with drilling rigs freckling the horizon, extracting oil and gas from some of the largest deposits in North America. Numerous gas plants exist throughout the county and many can be seen from I-80. In all, the minerals extracted in the county account for 67% of the area’s total revenue. Not a bad day’s work just living off the land. HISTORY MUSEUMS Want to learn more? Discover exhibits, artifacts and stories at history museums in Rock Springs and Green River. Rock Springs Historical Museum Page 11 WWCC Natural History Museum Page 10 Sweetwater County Historical Museum Page 14 TIPS FOR ADVENTURING RESPONSIBLY Learn Local History Take the time to learn about the places you visit – this can give you a better understanding and appreciation of the area along with helping you to create relationships with locals. Rock Springs and Green River have a rich history filled with prehistoric dinosaurs, outlaws, railroading, coal mining and more.
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