Alcova in Natrona County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Independence Rock
By Barry Swackhamer, May 31, 2016
1. Independence Rock Marker
Independence Rock. .
Probably discovered by returning Astorians, 1812. Given its name by emigrants who celebrated Independence Day here July 4, 1825. Capt. Bonneville passed here with first wagons 1832. Whitman and Spalding, missionaries with their wives stopped here 1836. Father DeSmet saw it and owing to many names upon it called it "Register of the Desert" 1840. Gen. John C. Fremont camped here with U.S. Army Aug. 2, 1842. It is the most famous landmark on the Old Oregon Trail. . , (inscribed below the marker) This tablet presented and placed by Henry D. Schoonmaker, 1920. , (This marker mounted at the north end of Independence Rock as is surrounded by memorial plaques honoring pioneers who traveled the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer Trails. They are present below; top to bottom and left to right:) , Ezra Meeker Pioneer 1830 - 1928 . , To Narcissa Prentiss Whitman and Eliza Hart Spalding, Missionaries. First white woman in Wyoming and first woman over Oregon Trail 1836 Placed July 4, 1936, by The Historical Landmark Commission of Wyoming .. , The first Lodge of Masons in what is now the State of Wyoming was convened on Independence Rock July 4, 1862, by a body of Master Masons who were traveling west on the Old Oregon Trail. To commemorate this event Casper Lodge No. 15 A.F. and A.M. of Casper, Wyoming, held memorial services here on July 4, 1920.. (inscribed below) C.H. Townsend . M.P Wheeler . H. Banner . A.C. Mokler . B.B. Brooks . W.C. Wilson . ?.A. Reed . E.L. Hambright . C. Anda) . , In memory of Father P. J. DeSmet S.J. 1840 who named this rock "The Register of the Desert." Dedicated July 4, 1930 by Wyoming Knights of Columbus.. , In honor of The "Mormon" Pioneers who passed Independence Rock June 21, 1847 Under the leadership of Brigham Young on their way to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake and of more than 80,000 'Mormon' emigrants who followed by ox teams, hand carts and other means of travel, seeking religious liberty and economic independence. Erected June 21, 1931, by descendants and followers of the pioneers who have made the desert bloom as the rose. . , In memory of Jason Lee the Trail Blazer of Methodism in the Northwest. 1834-1844. , In Memory of Dr. Grace Raymond Hebard 1861 - 1956 Wyoming Historian - Author - Educator Erected by Colonial Dames resident in the State of Wyoming. , In Memory of Anderson Deckard and Party Who camped here July 4, 1853 Settled near Albany, Oregon Erected by his descendants 1954. . This historical marker was erected in 1920 by Henry D. Schoonmaker. It is in Alcova in Natrona County Wyoming
Probably discovered by returning Astorians, 1812. Given its name by emigrants who celebrated Independence Day here July 4, 1825. Capt. Bonneville passed here with first wagons 1832. Whitman and Spalding, missionaries with their wives stopped here 1836. Father DeSmet saw it and owing to many names upon it called it "Register of the Desert" 1840. Gen. John C. Fremont camped here with U.S. Army Aug. 2, 1842. It is the most famous landmark on the
Old Oregon Trail.
(inscribed below the marker)
This tablet presented and placed by Henry D. Schoonmaker, 1920
(This marker mounted at the north end of Independence Rock as is surrounded by memorial plaques honoring pioneers who traveled the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer Trails. They are present below; top to bottom and left to right:)
Ezra Meeker
Pioneer
1830 - 1928
To
Narcissa Prentiss Whitman
and
Eliza Hart Spalding,
Missionaries.
First white woman in Wyoming
and
first woman over Oregon 
By Barry Swackhamer, May 31, 2016
2. Independence Rock Marker
Click or scan to see
this page online
Trail
1836
Placed July 4, 1936, by
The Historical Landmark Commission of Wyoming .
The first Lodge of Masons in what is now the State of Wyoming was convened on Independence Rock July 4, 1862, by a body of Master Masons who were traveling west on the Old Oregon Trail. To commemorate this event Casper Lodge No. 15 A.F. and A.M. of Casper, Wyoming, held memorial services here on July 4, 1920.
(inscribed below)
C.H. Townsend M.P Wheeler H. Banner A.C. Mokler B.B. Brooks W.C. Wilson ?.A. Reed E.L. Hambright C. Anda)
In memory of
Father P. J. DeSmet S.J.
1840
who named this rock
"The Register of the Desert."
Dedicated July 4, 1930
by Wyoming Knights of Columbus.
In honor of
The "Mormon" Pioneers
who passed Independence Rock
June 21, 1847
Under the leadership of
Brigham Young
on their way to the Valley of the
Great Salt Lake
and of more than 80,000 'Mormon' emigrants who followed by ox teams, hand carts and other means of travel, seeking religious liberty and economic independence.
Erected June 21, 1931, by descendants and followers of the pioneers who have made the desert bloom as the rose. 
By Barry Swackhamer, May 31, 2016
3. Independence Rock Marker
In memory of Jason Lee
the Trail Blazer of Methodism
in the Northwest.
1834-1844
In Memory of
Dr. Grace Raymond Hebard
1861 - 1956
Wyoming Historian - Author - Educator
Erected by Colonial Dames resident
in the State of Wyoming
In Memory of
Anderson Deckard
and Party
Who camped here
July 4, 1853
Settled near Albany, Oregon
Erected by his descendants
1954
Erected 1920 by Henry D. Schoonmaker.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Oregon Trail series list.
Location. 42° 29.694′ N, 107° 7.986′ W. Marker is in Alcova, Wyoming, in Natrona County. Marker is on State Highway 220 at milepost 63 near Oregon Trail Road (County Route 319). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alcova WY 82620, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Oregon Trail (a few steps from this marker); The Preservation of Independence Rock (a few steps from this marker); The Ox-Team Monument Expedition (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 
By Barry Swackhamer, May 31, 2016
4. Independence Rock
More about this marker. This marker is on the north side of Independence Rock at Independence Rock State Historic Site.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 477 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 30, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
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