Buffalo in Johnson County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Homesteading and the Jenkins Family

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 16, 2015

1. Homesteading and the Jenkins Family Marker

Captions: (above the timeline, left to right) John R. Smith, Sylvia as a young woman, M.D. as a young man, Sylvia and M.D., The Original Homestead, Oil Well, Winter in Story; (below the timeline) Fort McKinney Post Hospital, Main Street Buffalo, The "Invaders," M.D. in 1913, Forest, Polly and Louise, Sylvia with Louise, Polly and Forrest, Moving the cabin to the Museum.

Inscription. This marker is in the form of a timeline. The left to right timeline is presented here from top to bottom. Jenkins Family History is in italics text. Homesteading History is in normal text. History Milestones are in bold text.

1862: First Homestead Act (160 acres)
1865: The Civil War ends
1877: Desert Land Act (640 acres)
1878: John R. Smith, first homestead in Johnson County -- Ft. McKinney established and the town of Buffalo is started
1881: Johnson County organized
1884: City of Buffalo organized
1890: Wyoming Statehood
1891-1892: Johnson County Cattle War
1893: M.D. Jenkins and Sylvia Allen born in Illinois
1898-1899: Spanish-American War
1904: Dry Land Farming introduced to Wyoming
1909: Homestead Act changes (increased acreage and less proving time)
1912: M.D. and Sylvia engaged
1913: M.D. travels west moving cattle
1914: M.D. and Sylvia moved to Johnson County
1915: M.D. and Sylvia filed homestead on Dry Creek. Forrest born in Buffalo. M.D., Sylvia and Forrest live in a dugout
1916: M.D. completes the cabin
1918-1919 (sic): World War I
1920: Jenkins' receive Homestead Patent (title) -- Louise born in the cabin
1921: Pauline Kathryn (Polly) born in the
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cabin
1925: M.D. and Sylvia sold the homestead, moved to the Salt Creek Oilfields
1934: General homesteading stopped
Circa 1935: Cabin moved to nearby ranch for use as a granary
1941-1945: World War II
1982: Polly (Jenkins) Oltion purchased and moved the cabin to Story
2005: Polly and her family donated the cabin to the Museum
2006: Cabin moved to the Museum
2007: Cabin opened

Erected 2007 by Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 44° 20.879′ N, 106° 41.983′ W. Marker is in Buffalo, Wyoming, in Johnson County. Marker is on Fort Street (U.S. 16) near Adams Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Fort Street, Buffalo WY 82834, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Nate Champion's Diary (a few steps from this marker); Nate Champion's Last Run (a few steps from this marker); Johnson County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Johnson County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Powder River Country (within shouting distance of this marker); Occidental Hotel

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 16, 2015

2. Homesteading and the Jenkins Family Marker

(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historic Buffalo, Wyoming (about 600 feet away); Heritage Mall (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buffalo.

More about this marker. The Jenkins cabin is located at the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum. The M is M.D. Jenkins is for Marshall.

Additional keywords. Homesteading

Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 631 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 15, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.