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HISTORIC
PLACES TO VISIT
IN THE FORT PHIL KEARNY REGION |
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Some of the below are closed in winter
except by appointment. |
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Trail End State Historic Site in
Sheridan was built in 1913, and occupied by the family of John B. Kendrick. The site
includes the Carriage House, now used as a local theater, and 3.8 acres of grounds.
Kendrick, at 15, was a peniless cowboy riding the trail from Texas
with a herd of cattle. He became a Wyoming Senator, a U.S. Senator, and Governor of
Wyoming, as well as a banker, land developer, and entrepreneur. The home represents
regional and social history of the early 20th century. It is open daily from March
1-December 14. and for several days at Christmas. |
Photo by Rob Yingling/Bighorn Web Design
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Bradford Brinton Memorial
Ranch and Art Gallery - The Quarter-Circle A Ranch: Bradford Brinton Memorial is
an historic ranch and western art gallery a few miles south of Big Horn. It was built as a
gentleman's ranch from the turn of the century, and still houses much of the original
furnishings and art.
The home and gallery exhibit historic documents and the art of
Frederic Remington, Ed Borein and Charlie Russell as well as special exhibits and programs
through the summer. The home, gallery and grounds are open from early spring through Labor
Day. |
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| The Occidental Hotel and Saloon were founded in 1878 -- even
before the famed Johnson County Cattle War broke out in 1892. The original log structure
gave way to the 1908 "uptown" style that nearly a century later is no more
changed than the overnight crew would have done after its first week of business. It
was founded only two years after the Indian Wars period peaked in the area in 1876 and
1877 -- and even before the founding of Buffalo itself as an official "city."
The Occidental has been visited by Teddy Roosevelt, Buffalo Bill Cody, Gen. Phil
Sheridan, Gen. George Crook and Calamity Jane. Novelist Owen Wister may well have
modeled the hero for his "The Virginian" from characters he met at the
Occidental. It's also said Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid made the saloon an
unofficial headquarters when they hid out at less comfortable quarters at the Hole in the
Wall area near Kaycee. Next door to the saloon is the restored hotel, grand lobby
and museum. |
Photo by Rob Yingling/Bighorn Web Design
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Photo by Randy Wagner
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The Historic
Sheridan Inn,
dubbed "The House of 69 Gables" celebrated its 100th birthday in May of
1993. After the Inn was built, Buffalo Bill Cody leased the building interior and
hired his Wild West Show performers from the Inn's front porch. In 1964 it was designated
a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service.
Though presently rooms have not
been renovated for rental, the beautifully renovated dining room, lobby, and Buffalo Bill
bar deserve a visit and tour. Meals are served most days year-round, and the many
activities are scheduled inside and on the lawn. |
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| The Jim Gatchell Museum The Jim
Gatchell Museum in Buffalo is one of America's recognized outstanding small professional
museums. The collection and interpretive programs combine artifacts and information from
the early fur trade era through the Bozeman Trail and Indian Wars period through the
Johnson County Cattle War and into the 20th Century. Founder Jim Gatchell
was a popular Buffalo resident, writer and pharmacist through a major part of the 20th
century. His interest in history and personal integrity resulted in friends and
acquaintances bringing in famous and valuable artifacts. |
Photo by Rob Yingling/Bighorn Web Design
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Photo by Rob Yingling/Bighorn Web Design
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Hoofprints of the Past Museum in
Kaycee's business district began as a Wyoming Centennial Project and opened in July of
1990. Kaycee is basically the site of the opening shots of the Johnson County Cattle War
in 1892 at a ranch cabin. Later the KC Ranch name was appropriated to give the town its
name. The exhibits are centered in the oldest standing building in Kaycee. Included are a
ranch, country schoolhouse with furnishings and textbooks, a blacksmith shop and forge,
country store and post office. The buildings and exhibits give visitors a taste of
hoofprints of the past in ranch country at the entrance to the famed "Hole in the
Wall" area of Western history where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid once ducked
while lawmen searched for them. The Museum is open Memorial Day to Nov. 1. |
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| • King's Cowboy Museum is located at the rear of King's
Saddlery and Ropes on Main Street in Sheridan. They include a Bozeman Trail collection.
Open year around. • Bozeman Trail Museum and Historic Stage Station at Big
Horn (open weekends in summer).
• Connor
Battlefield State Park at Ranchester was the site of the Battle of Tongue River
between and Army and the Arapaho tribe in 1865, and caused the Arapaho to ally with the
Sioux and Cheyenne at the Fetterman Fight the next year.
• The Equestrian Center at Big Horn features polo most weekends in summer.
Though the location has changed, the polo club was one of the earliest in the nation.
• Big Red Gallery at Ucross features changing art exhibits.
• Main Streets of Sheridan, Buffalo, Big Horn, Dayton, Kaycee and elsewhere
are much as in the early days of Wyoming.
• The Hans Kleiber cabin in Dayton features momentos of this well-known
local artist.
• The Little Blue School
in Ranchester is one of the area's oldest schools.
• U.S. Highways 16, 14, and 14A over the Big Horn Mountains are all
designated State Scenic By-Ways by the State of Wyoming.
• Buffalo, Wyoming Chamber of Commerce
• Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce
• Sheridan Convention and
Visitors Bureau |
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