Southern Wyoming has served as a major travel corridor since the mid 1800s – and for good reason. Emigrants traveling west needed safe routes where food and water were available. Guides familiar with the region determined the best route was . . . — — Map (db m67756) HM
Nineteenth Century railroads were dependent upon coal for fuel. The vast coal reserves of southern Wyoming helped determine the route of the transcontinental Union Pacific Railroad and were the basis for Wyoming's first energy boom. . . . — — Map (db m36537) HM
One of the greatest improvements by the Union Pacific Railroad occurred with the construction of Aspen Tunnel. It saved 10 miles in distance from Leroy to Evanston.
Work began on the tunnel in November 13, 1899, and was completed October 9, . . . — — Map (db m90122) HM
Nothing remains today as a reminder that Bear River City was one of the notorious "end-of-track" towns along the original Union Pacific transcontinental railroad line. Initially called Gilmer, the town was first settled by lumberjacks who arrived . . . — — Map (db m225755) HM
The Bear River Watershed spreads across 7,500 square miles of mountain and valley lands that encompass portions of Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming. Bear River is the main tributary to the Great Salt Lake and is the longest stream in the western hemisphere . . . — — Map (db m67972) HM
Evanston was established by the Union Pacific Railroad Company late in 1868. In the first county election, September 6, 1870, Evanston was chosen county seat. Union Pacific Railroad shops moved here in the fall of 1871. Timber and sawmill operations . . . — — Map (db m67738) HM
In February 1873 a branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was organized in Evanston by President William Budge, of Bear Lake Valley, Idaho. On May 23, 1873 William G. Burton was ordained bishop. On June 24, 1890 this ward was . . . — — Map (db m36400) HM
Several plaques are located at this kiosk
Hilliard City and Piedmont
Early settlers began to arrive on "Hilliard Flats" in 1860 to ranch and grow crops. Long, cold winters and short growing seasons made it difficult to . . . — — Map (db m90438) HM
The first settler in the Hilliard area was John Myers who arrived in the middle to late 1850s. He worked at Fort Bridger in 1857, and in 1860 made his home on the Bear River where the Salt Lake Trail (California/Mormon Trail) crossed the river, a . . . — — Map (db m90437) HM
The Oregon and California Trails came into Uinta County from South Pass, whereas the Overland Trail came through Bridger Pass. In 1845, more than 3,000 emigrant were on the Oregon Trail seeking adventure, fortune or religious freedom.
The . . . — — Map (db m90113) HM
The Lincoln Highway was established in 1913 as the nation's first coast-to-coast automobile route. It consisted of existing roads that were marked with the distinctive Lincoln Highway logo. Perhaps the most famous means of identification was . . . — — Map (db m67739) HM
Erected
by the members of
the Woodruff Stake
of the Church of
Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints
in honor of the
Pioneers who
passed this spot
July 12, 1847
under the leadership
of Brigham Young . . . — — Map (db m90124) HM
This crossing was on the historic Mormon Trail. Lands surrounding the crossing were a welcome rest stop for weary pioneers. John Myers ferried emigrants across the Bear River and provided needed supplies from his store.
In 1858, the Myers Ranch, . . . — — Map (db m165966) HM
Both Shoshone and Arapahoe Indians camped in this area from the early 1800s until the Fort Bridger Treaty Council of 1868 established the Wind River Reservation.
They traded beadwork and pelts to the early pioneers for other goods. Chief . . . — — Map (db m90123) HM
In 1886, the Territorial Legislature established the Wyoming State Hospital, originally named the Wyoming State Asylum for the Insane, to provide care for mentally ill citizens. The site chosen for the hospital was at the southern edge of Evanston . . . — — Map (db m36549) HM
The most important event in the development of this area was the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. The tracks came into Wyoming Territory in 1867. Many towns, now vanished, preceded the graders, bridge builders, tie hacks, and gandy . . . — — Map (db m90121) HM
Your trip across Wyoming takes you through vast expanses of shrublands made up mostly of sagebrush. To the casual observer this landscape may appear desolate, but sagebrush shrublands are diverse and home to a variety of wildflowers, birds, and . . . — — Map (db m67971) HM