Near Farson in Sweetwater County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Burial on the Trail

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 28, 2013

1. Burial on the Trail Marker

Inscription. Death on the trail did not allow for the fineries of the funerals back home. Emigrants made do with materials available. Black would adorn the clothes of mourners, and care would be taken to provide the best funeral possible. The most travelers could provide was often just a shallow trench beside the trail and no coffin for the deceased.

Many emigrants worried about the lack of propriety of a simple grave on the windswept prairie and vowed to return and provide a "proper" resting place.

Few of the thousands of emigrant graves have been located. The wind and snow soon obliterated any evidence of them. Markers disappeared, and in some cases, wild animals scavenged the graves. Stories of family members later returning to search for a loved one's final resting place are common, but the searches were usually fruitless.

Erected by Bureau of Land Management.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Trail, the Mormon Pioneer Trail, and the Oregon Trail series lists.

Location. 41° 59.898′ N, 109° 37.375′ W. Marker is near Farson, Wyoming, in Sweetwater

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County. Marker can be reached from State Highway 28, 11½ miles west of U.S. 191, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Farson WY 82932, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Continuing the Journey West (a few steps from this marker); "Graves" of the Unknown Emigrants (within shouting distance of this marker); Pilot Butte & "Graves" of the Unknown Emigrants (within shouting distance of this marker); Emigrant/Indian Relations (within shouting distance of this marker); Death on the Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Pilot Butte (within shouting distance of this marker); First Transcontinental Telegraph (within shouting distance of this marker); Simpson's Hollow (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Farson.

More about this marker. Marker is one of eight interpretive signs at the Pilot Butte Emigrant Trails Interpretive Site.

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 28, 2013

2. Burial on the Trail Marker

Marker is on the right

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 667 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 26, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.