Guernsey in Platte County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Oregon Trail Ruts
Registered National Historic Landmark
Wagon wheels cut solid rock, carving a memorial to Empire Builders. what manner of men and beasts impelled conveyances weighting on those griding wheels? Look! A line of shadows crossing boundless wilderness.
Foremost, nimble mules drawing their carts, come poised Montain Men carrying trade goods to a fur fair -- the Rendezvous. So, in 1830, Bill Sublette turns the first wheels from St. Louis to the Rocky Mountains! Following his faint trail, a decade later and on throught the 1860's, appear straining, twisting teams of oxen, mules and heavy draft horses drawing Conestoga wagons for Oregon pioneers. Trailing the Oregon-bound avant garde but otherwise mingling with those emigrants, inspired by religious fervor, loom footsore and trail worn companies -- Mormons dragging or pushing handcarts as they follow Brigham Young to the Valley of the Salt Lake. And, after 1849, reacting to a differnt stimulus but sharing the same trail, urging draft animals to extremity, straining resources and often failing, hurry gold rushers California bound.
A different breed, no emigrants but enterprisers and adventurers, capture the 1860's scene. They appear, multi-teamed units in draft -- heavy wagons in tandem, jerkline operators and bullwhackers delivering freight to Indian War outposts and agencies. Now the apparition fades in a changing environment. Dimley seen, this last commerce serves a new, pastoral society; the era of the cattle baron and the advent of settlement blot the Oregon Trail.
Erected by Guernsey State Park.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks, and the Oregon Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.
Location. 42° 15.418′ N, 104° 44.933′ W. Marker is in Guernsey, Wyoming, in Platte County. Marker is located in Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Area/Guernsey State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Guernsey WY 82214, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site (here, next to this marker); The United States Army and the Oregon Trail (a few steps from this marker); Forts, Stations, and Camps (a few steps from this marker); The US Army’s Role in Protecting the Oregon Trail is Best Described by the Soldiers (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Oregon Trail Ruts (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Encampments in the Guernsey Area (about 400 feet away); Grave of Lucindy Rollins (approx. 0.3 miles away); Laramie Peak (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Guernsey.
More about this marker. Leave Guernsey by South Guernsey Road. After crossing the bridge, follow the signs to Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Area. You take the river front road, west.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2008, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 7,097 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 25, 2008, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. 2, 3. submitted on August 9, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 25, 2008, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. 7, 8. submitted on December 22, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.