Kemmerer in Lincoln County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Home of James C. Penney

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 26, 2014

1. Home of James C. Penney Marker

Inscription. Founded J.C. Penney Company Inc.
April 14, 1902 in Kemmerer Wyoming
Operated by J.C. Penney Homestead, Inc.

Erected by J.C. Penney Homestead.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1857.

Location. 41° 47.692′ N, 110° 32.21′ W. Marker is in Kemmerer, Wyoming, in Lincoln County. It is at the intersection of J.C. Penney Drive and Lignite Street, on the right when traveling west on J.C. Penney Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 722 J.C Penney Drive, Kemmerer WY 83101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Westward Expansion Trails Region

and in Greater Yellowstone.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Wyoming Centennial (within shouting distance

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

of this marker); Kemmerer Founders Monument (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Oregon Trail Memorial (about 300 feet away); Fossil Butte (approx. 5 miles away); Alfred Corum Grave (approx. 13.9 miles away); Nancy Jane Hill (approx. 14 miles away).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . James Cash Penney: From Clerk to Chain-store Tycoon - Wyoming Historical Society. Penney grew up in an era in America when agriculture was giving way to industrialization, and he would become part of the movement that saw millions leave farming for urban occupations. His father, James Cash Penney Sr., was a minister and civic leader who ran unsuccessfully for Congress on a populist ticket in 1894. But the elder Penney also ran a 390-acre farm where the family raised both cattle and crops. Penney had hoped to attend college when he graduated from high school in 1893, but his parents could not afford to send him. So Penney stayed on the farm for two years, until his father found him work as a clerk at a local dry goods merchant. Penney took to this new line of
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 26, 2014

2. Home of James C. Penney Marker
work, and began to set aside money to start a business of his own. (Submitted on January 30, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

James Cash Penney image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer

3. James Cash Penney

Home of James C. Penney image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, August 2, 2021

4. Home of James C. Penney

The marker is located on the frame of the James Cash Penney House.

The "Mother Store" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, August 2, 2021

5. The "Mother Store"

The JCPenney "Mother Store" is a block away. This store, the second opened by James Cash Penney, was first established as the Golden Rule store in 1904.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 700 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on April 12, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 30, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4, 5. submitted on April 12, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.