Ranchester in Sheridan County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Tongue River Crossing
Wyoming
Historically, this area of the Tongue River served as a trail and stage road crossing. The Boseman Trail, road to the Montana gold fields, crossed here beginning in 1864. The Bozeman cut through the Powder River Basin, violating the Fort Laramie Treaties, which designated the area as tribal lands for the Northern Plains Tribes. Use of the trail contributed to the “Plains Indian War” and military occupation of the region.
In the summer of 1865 a road building expedition managed by James A. Sawyers set out from Niobrara, NE headed to Virginia City, MT. When the expedition reached the Dry Fork of the Powder River, its route merged with the Bozeman Trail. General Patrick Connor attacked and destroyed an Arapaho village downstream on August 29, three days before Sawyers’ Expedition arrived at this crossing. In retaliation, an Arapaho war party laid siege to Sawyers’ encampment for 13 days until a military escort arrived.
From 1879 through 1895, the Bingham Post Office operated near here on the north side of the Tongue River. Between 1879 and 1885, Bingham also served as a stage station along the Rock Creek Stage Line. This 400-mile line ran from Rock Creek on the Union Pacific Railroad in southern Wyoming to near present day Billings, MT. In 1882 the Northern Pacific Railroad stretched through Montana and the stage line served the important role of connecting the two railroads. By 1890 a variety of shorter rail and stage routes connected areas within the two states and the need for a Wyoming to Montana stage route came to an end.
Erected by State of Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 44° 53.779′ N, 107° 13.825′ W. Marker is in Ranchester, Wyoming, in Sheridan County. Marker is on Dayton Street (U.S. 14) west of Halfway Lane (County Route 71), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ranchester WY 82839, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Stagecoach Roads in Sheridan County (a few steps from this marker); Bozeman Trail (a few steps from this marker); First Woman Mayor in Wyoming (approx. 2.2 miles away); Dayton Community Hall (approx. 2.2 miles away); Ranchester (approx. 3.2 miles away); Connor Battlefield State Historic Site (approx. 3.3 miles away); The Battle of Tongue River (approx. 3.4 miles away); Connor Battlefield (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ranchester.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 505 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 27, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.