Big Horn in Sheridan County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Big Horn Blacksmith Shop

Stagecoach Roads in Sheridan County

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2015

1. Big Horn Blacksmith Shop Marker

Inscription. Big Horn grew up as one of the main communities along the stage route in Sheridan County. The first Big Horn Post Office was established in 1879 at Thomas Creighton's ranch two miles northeast of Big Horn. In 1881, Creighton sold his ranch, and the post office was moved to Big Horn. That same year John DeWitt built a blacksmith shop at this site, where the 1867 military cutoff of the Bozeman Trail crossed Little Goose Creek.
This shop was typical of the blacksmith shops found in small rural towns along the wagon roads in the region's early settlement period. It was an important business in the community, providing horseshoeing, wagon repairing, and general blacksmithing. In the 1880s advertisements for the shop appeared in the Big Horn Sentinel featuring notices such as "Blacksmithing and Wagon Repairing Done on Short Notice." Two other owners operated the shop after DeWitt sold it in 1885. This building served Big Horn and the surrounding area until 1914. It was restored in 1936 and now houses the Big Horn Museum. 

Erected by Sheridan County Historic Preservation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 44° 40.771′ N, 106° 59.488′ W. Marker is in Big Horn, Wyoming, in Sheridan County. It is on Johnson Street near Creighton Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 258 Johnson Street, Big Horn WY 82833, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin.

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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bozeman Trail Blacksmith Shop (here, next to this marker); Bozeman Trail (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Bozeman Trail (approx. 4.3 miles away); Sheridan (approx. 4.3 miles away); a different marker also named Bozeman Trail (approx. 8.1 miles away); General George Crook (approx. 8.4 miles away); First Cabin

Big Horn Blacksmith Shop and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2015

2. Big Horn Blacksmith Shop and Marker

in Sheridan (approx. 8.4 miles away); Trail End (approx. 8½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Big Horn.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Community Service Routes (was approx. 4.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. This marker is located at the Bozeman Trail Museum.

Regarding Big Horn Blacksmith Shop. This marker is one of six similar marker dedicated the the Stagecoach Roads of Sheridan County.

Map of the Stagecoach Roads in Sheridan County image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 15, 2015

3. Map of the Stagecoach Roads in Sheridan County

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 441 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 9, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.