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

Archibald Gardner

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 24, 2025

1. Archibald Gardner Marker

Inscription. Noble, Generous, Kind and True to All
Pioneer of 1847

Born at Kilsythe, Scotland Sept. 2, 1814 Died in Salt Lake City, Ut. Feb. 8, 1902

This monument has been erected as a tribute to him in remembrance of his accomplishments as a mill builder and his lifelong dedication to helping people. He arrived in Afton in October 1889. By December he was producing flour and lumber which were badly needed by the early settlers. The water powered mills were built at the mouth of Swift Creek Canyon. His foresight helped save the settlers from starvation the following winter.

This monument is not just for his work in Star Valley. He was known as the pioneer builder of the west having built over 35 mills, many canals and bridges. He faithfully served his family, church, community and country his entire life.

Erected 1990.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 42° 43.743′ N, 110° 55.211′ W. Marker is in Afton, Wyoming, in Lincoln County. It is on East 2nd Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 E 2nd Avenue, Afton WY 83110, 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 8 other markers

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are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Star Valley (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mormons in Star Valley (approx. 0.4 miles away); Afton Wyoming (approx. ¾ mile away); Osmond (approx. 3.6 miles away); Lander Cut-Off of the Oregon Trail (approx. 7.4 miles away); Lander Cut-off of the Oregon Trail (approx. 10.3 miles away); Wyoming's Wildlife (approx. 11½ miles away); Agriculture under the Stars (approx. 11½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Afton.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 24, 2025

2. Archibald Gardner Marker

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 24, 2025

3. Archibald Gardner Marker

Gardner Millstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 24, 2025

4. Gardner Millstone

This is one of the original mill stones from the first grist (flour) mill built in Afton, Wyoming by Archibald Gardner in 1889.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 258 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 24, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.