Thanks for finding Part 2 of this incredible trip. Please check out Part 1 and Part 3 as well!
Updated 20:53hrs December 13th, 2022
–In Lander, Wyoming
After deeply experiencing the great pioneer history of our country by standing in the middle of the trails that so many hardy, brave, and truly pioneering Americans passed through at Parting of The Ways we made our way to Lander, Wyoming for a multi-day stay and exploration of this central path of American progress.
Below are a few links to check out and always click on the high resolution photo gallery links Yes, the big photos take time to load but theses galleries will hopefully stand the test of time and will be around when such large files are displayed instantly.
Lander was previously known as Pushroot, Old Camp Brown and Fort Augur. Its present name was chosen in 1875 in reference to General Frederick W. Lander, a transcontinental explorer who surveyed the Oregon Trail’s Lander Cutoff.
Links:
Immigrant Trails in Wyoming – Wikipedia
The Lander Trail – WyoHistroy.org
Lander, Wyoming – Wikipedia
Pioneer Village, Museum of the American West and The Fremont County Pioneer Museum are both great stops in your pioneer trail exploration.
Checkout the High Resolution Photo Gallery of the Museums.
— Along the Trail between Lander and Casper, Wyoming,
Before we get into the superb history and detail of some of the major points of interest along our route, I share with you these images that depict the natural beauty and old yet, evolving history of rural Wyoming.
– The town that was once named “Home on the Range“. A semi-modern era ghost town. What happened here???
The town still has a few habitants and a stream of cross-country cyclists every summer as it is along the ACA Trans America Cyclist Route. We witnessed a few hearty souls riding hard against the Wyoming Wind, in the solace of their being with nature.
– Independence Rock is one of the most famous landmarks along the trail and indeed it remains so today with the trails and facilities well worn from the folks that stop for a break along a major rural, Wyoming Highway.
– Down the road and around the corner, here and there and over yonder, you will stumble upon the superb simplicity and beauty of the rural, Wyoming lifestyle. Here are a few, with more in the High-Resolution photo gallery.
The Shepherd’s Wagon – built better than most RV’s today!
A truly beautiful stone barn along the highway.
–South Pass City, Wyoming
This is a MUST VISIT. South Pass City Historic Site is a superbly restored pioneer and mining center that sits directly in the Continental Divide. Plan on spending at least a half of a day exploring the wonderful buildings and the Carissa Mine, when it is open. The gift shop is also excellent
In August 1861, 25-year-old Samuel Clemens (later Mark Twain) passed through South Pass City via stagecoach with his brother Orion, newly appointed as Secretary of Nevada Territory. Mark Twain later wrote about the experience in Roughing It, first published in 1872: “. . . we hove in sight of South Pass City. The hotelkeeper, the postmaster, the blacksmith, the mayor, the constable, the city marshal and the principal citizen and property holder, all came out and greeted us cheerily, and we gave him good day. He gave us a little Indian news, and a little Rocky Mountain news, and we gave him some Plains information in return. He then retired to his lonely grandeur and we climbed on up among the bristling peaks and the ragged clouds. South Pass City consisted of four log cabins, one of which was unfinished, and the gentleman with all those offices and titles was the chiefest of the ten citizens of the place. Think of hotelkeeper, postmaster, blacksmith, mayor, constable, city marshal and principal citizen all condensed into one person and crammed into one skin.
The South Pass Hotel was my favorite with every room restored to era perfection.
The old school house is another fine restoration.
The Carissa Mine is open for tours in the summer.
Links:
Very High Resolution Photo Gallery
Official South Pass City Website
WYO PARKS – South Pass City Historic Page
Wikipedia – South Pass City
–Atlantic City, Wyoming
On every trip, you find a spot that you want to return to. Atlantic City, Wyoming made this list. Like South Pass City, Atlantic City is also on the Continental Divide which includes the epic Tour Divide MTB Race every summer.
Soon — I will sip a cold beer on the porch of the Atlantic City Mercantile as the riders pass by and, stop for a rest and a some trail talk. And BTW, the proprietor of the Mercantile is a talented Picker, displaying awesome antiques throughout the establishment.
This guy sets the vibes in Atlantic City.
And how about this bar!
Checkout the Links:
Wikipedia – Atlantic City, Wyoming
Atlantic City Mercantile Tavern
Very High Resolution Photo Gallery