On Bessemer Bend Road (County Route 308) near Speas Road (Route 311), on the right when traveling east.
From the moment humans first saw these red buttes, an enduring memory and sense of place was created. Gone for centuries now are the aboriginal people that hunted bison on the plains around you, and trappers that ventured here seeking beaver, mink, . . . — — Map (db m91980) HM
On Oregon Trail Road (County Route 319) near Route 308, on the right when traveling south.
Daunting to some, invigorating to others, the view from here gave emigrants a sense of the dramatic beauty and grand scale of the West. Many pioneers, tired after having climbed four hundred feet above Willow Springs, were humbled by this panorama. . . . — — Map (db m95598) HM
On Oregon Trail Road (County Route 319) near County Route 308, on the right when traveling south.
"Sunday Jun 15. Traveled 25 miles, about one mile from the springs is Prospect Hill. It is a delightful view, and here you can see the range of Sweet water mountains..." Excerpt from the 1851 journal of Amelia Hadley in Covered Wagon . . . — — Map (db m95597) HM
On State Highway 220 near Monument Road when traveling west.
Commemorating
Battle of Red Buttes
which occurred across
North Platte River
July 26, 1865
Erected by
Headquarters 2d, Corps Area
United States Army
which reenacted the battle at
Governor's Island N.Y.
June 21, and 22, . . . — — Map (db m170504) HM
On Bessemer Bend Road (Route 308) near Speas Road (Route 311), on the right when traveling east.
Throughout history, humans have followed river banks in search of resources to support commerce. Rivers made possible the exploration and mapping of North America. Major waterways served as trade routes for native peoples, corridors for European . . . — — Map (db m91949) HM
On Oregon Trail Road (County Route 319) near County Route 308, on the right when traveling south.
The eighteenth century brought competition among Spain, France, England and the fledgling Unites States for control of North America. Domain over the continent's rivers, seaports, forests, rich soils, and wildlife resources was key to the growth of . . . — — Map (db m95596) HM
On Bessemer Bend Road (Route 308) near Speas Road (Route 311), on the right when traveling east.
Many travelers along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Pioneer trails relied on maps and reports made by explorers or guides who knew the way. William Clayton provided early emigrants with a detailed written record of his travels. As a member of . . . — — Map (db m91950) HM
On Oregon Trail Road (County Route 319) near County Route 308, on the right when traveling south.
Many travelers along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Pioneer trail relied on maps and reports made by explorers or guides who knew the way. William Clayton provided early emigrants with a detailed written record of his travels. As a member of . . . — — Map (db m95600) HM
On Bessemer Bend Road (Route 308) near Speas Road (Route 311), on the right when traveling east.
Bessemer (1888-1892) was one of many small towns that grew quickly in late nineteenth century Wyoming. Early explorers and traders had discovered crude oil seeping to the surface of the ground in this area. One nearby oil spring drew the attention . . . — — Map (db m91990) HM
On Bessemer Bend Road (County Route 308) near Speas Road (County Route 311), on the right when traveling east.
Permanent settlers began claiming this region by the late 1870s, at the end of the Plains Indian wars. The nearby Goose Egg Ranch dates to 1877 when the Searight Brothers Cattle Company trailed more than 20,000 head of cattle into Wyoming Territory. . . . — — Map (db m91979) HM
On Bessemer Bend Road (County Route 308) near Speas Road (County Route 311), on the right when traveling east.
of Oregon Trail fame, where
westward travelers left the
North Platte River.
A Tribute to Pioneer Emigrants
from
Casper Literary Club
1930 — — Map (db m91946) HM
On Bessemer Bend Road (County Route 308) near Speas Road (County Route 311), on the right when traveling east.
In this location wagons, carts, livestock, and emigrants forded the North Platte River during organized migrations through the Rocky Mountain West. Congressional prodding to occupy the Oregon Territory in the early 1840s, and the lure of fertile, . . . — — Map (db m91971) HM
On Bessemer Bend Road (County Route 308) near Speas Road (County Route 311), on the right when traveling east.
Field exploration by scientists in the late 1800s illuminated the American West. One of the most charismatic of these men was Dr. Ferdinand Vandiveer Hayden. Born in 1828 in Massachusetts and trained as a physician, Dr. Hayden first journeyed to the . . . — — Map (db m91976) HM
On Bessemer Bend Road (County Route 308) near Speas Road (County Route 311), on the right when traveling east.
The eighteenth century saw competition for control of North America among Spain, France, England, and the fledgling United States. Following a forty-year period of wars, treaties, territorial purchases, and establishment of trading posts, the future . . . — — Map (db m91947) HM
On Jackson Canyon Road near Wyoming Route 220, on the left when traveling west.
Oregon Trail approximately four miles north, on bend of North Platte visible to the north. Robert Stuart in 1812 erected the first white man's cabin in Wyoming. — — Map (db m164363) HM
On Oregon Trail Road (County Route 319), on the right when traveling south.
After the last crossing of the North Platte River in the present Casper area, twenty to twenty-five miles east of here, wagons followed the Oregon-California Trail entered a dry, dreary alkali area where fresh water was scarce. Willow Springs was . . . — — Map (db m95592) HM
On Bessemer Bend Road (Route 308) near Speas Road (Route 311), on the right when traveling east.
Around this loop trail you can learn more about this place called Bessemer Bend. Consider the history that has unfolded around you, and match each numbered site on the map above with the event described below.
1. Ten thousand years ago nomadic . . . — — Map (db m91948) HM
