MILITARY PRESENCE

Cantonment Reno was located in what is now southeastern Johnson County. It was short lived, and the army moved further north to the banks of Clear Creek just west of present day Buffalo. In July of 1879 Fort McKinney served as the garrison for four companies of infantry and three companies of cavalry. The Fort operated until 1894, when the site was given to the State of Wyoming, who established the Wyoming Soldiers and Sailors home there in 1903.

FREWEN'S CASTLE

In the late 1800s this area was all open range, with cattle ranging far and wide. Several of the ranches were operated by people of Scotish origins and there was a large operation headed by Moreton Frewen. He built a two story log home at a time when most dwellings were much smaller. It was know as Frewen's Castle. The main room was forty foot square, there was a musicians gallery where they could sit and play for the guests dancing below. Twenty guests could dine with comfort and often the table was adorned with flowers brought in from Denver. The staircase and interior woodwork were imported from England. A piano came overland after arriving by train at Rock Creek. There was a telepohone connecting the home with their store some twenty miles distance. There were also a bunkhouse, storage sheds and stables in the compound. Coal lamp chandeliers with crystal bangles illuminated the main rooms. Mike McCue, a fromer body guard for President Lincoln served as the Frewen's cook. he told one group they would not get Boston baked beans, but Powder River beans! By 1886 the Frewen family had moved on, leaving the home and its furnishing behind. Eventually the rosewood and walnut were "recycled" being made into smoking stand, candle holders and a gavel currently used by the local Historical society.

Burials in the county

Willow Grove Cemetery is located on the south edge of Buffalo. It is well cared for. Irrigation provides for acres of green grass and majestic trees providing shade for visitors. In 1903 cottonwood trees were planted and over the years, they have been maintained and other trees have been added. Deer and antelope raise their young in this peaceful setting. There is a section for our military veterans as well as an area set aside for small children.

Near the entrance lies Block 35, which was dedicated in the late 1800s to serve as a POTTER'S FIELD. There are eleven (11) burials recorded: one baby, one woman, and nine men. The dates range from 1893 to 1914. In the 1970s the local Rotary Club fenced this area, and in 2002 the fence was replaced and markers were provided for the graves. This project was funded by the Johnson County Historical Society with labor provided by volunteers.

There is a small cemetery just east of Kaycee, WY . And over the years there have been burials at various ranches and areas through out the county. In the 1980s the State Historical Society established a project to gather information and document these graves.

My husband has a digital camera and we can provide photos of tombstones, as well as the locations of graves. We can also provide copies of obituaries from the area newspapers.

SCENIC BYWAY

A beautiful drive up the east slope of the Big Horn Mountains takes you through the Crazy Woman Canyon. The gravel road winds along the creek, splashing with crystal clear water, its edges guarded by huge boulders. There are several versions of how the creek and the canyon got its name. Aspen and wildflowers abound. Small trout swim in the icy waters of the creek, and deer are often spotted grazing on the lush grasses. Listed as a Wyoming scenic byway, this is a side trip you shouldn't miss.

HISTORIC INNS

Two charming hotels are available in Buffalo, WY

The Occidental Hotel sits of the north bank of Clear Creek in downtown Buffalo. It has been recently renovated and boasts an elegant saloon and a fine dining establishment, THE VIRGINIAN.
http://occidentalwyoming.com/

On North Main Street you'll find THE MANSION HOUSE, BUILT IN 1903 by Dr. Howard Lott. It is lovely as well.
http://mansionhouseinn.com/

MUSEUMS

Our county has two Museums.

Hoofprints of the Past is located in Kaycee, WY in southern Johnson County.
http://hoofprintsofthepast.org

Johnson County Jim Gatchell Memorial Musuem is at the corner of Fort & Main Streets near downtown Buffalo.
http://jimgatchell.com

Both are well supported and well attended. Preserving, protecting and displaying our area's heritage.

Saturday 27 June 2009

LIVING HISTORY DAY

A windy day in Buffalo, WY. A nice crowd attended the event sponsored by the local Museum. There was music, square dancing and performances by the local Basque dancers. The cabin on the Courthouse lawn was open and there were displays set up all around the buildings. The local Basque club was selling lukana sandwiches. At approximately 12:15 there was a brief ceremony, featuring local artist, Mike Thomas, and the bronze sculpture of Nate Champion was unveiled. Present at the event were 6 Champion descendants, 2 men and 4 women.

Sculptor Thomas

and

three (3) Champion descendants

Sculptor D. Michael Thomas

speaking at unveiling

of

Nate Champion

June 27, 2009

LIVING HISTORY DAYS

Johnson County Jim Gatchell Museum

corner of Fort & Main Streets

NATE CHAMPION sculpture

moments after the unveiling

ROADS

Buffalo is the County Seat of Johnson County. All roads lead to Buffalo! I-90 goes west from Rapid City, SD and at Buffalo, WY turns north to continue on to Billings, Montana. I-25 begins at Buffalo (and I-90) and goes south to Las Cruces, NM. Wyoming state Highway 16 runs through Buffalo. In the 4,175 square miles, there are two incorporated towns, Buffalo and Kaycee. There are two additional communities with a USPO, Linch and Saddlestring. Located on the banks of Clear Creek, Buffalo is at the east foot of the Big Horn Mountains. Our "home" town!

GATCHELL MUSEUM

Jim Gatchell died 5 June 1954. His family donated the collection, which he had gathered and housed in his Main Street drug store. The County donated the land and the building funds were donated. The Johnson County Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum opened in June of 1957. In 1991 the Gatchell Museum Board of Trustees, Inc. was formed. This is a non-profit (IRS 501 (c)(3)) Wyoming coporation which serves as a support foundation for the museum. In 1989 the Museum began conversion work on the adjacent building, which had been built as a Carneige Library in the early 1900s.

NATE CHAMPION

Today, 24 June 2009, they installed the D. Michael Thomas bronze sculpture of Nate Champion north of the Gatchell Museum complex on Fort Street, in Buffalo, WY. Covered with a canvas tarp, the imposing sculpture will remain hidden until the formal dedication to be held at Noon on Saturday, June 27, 2009, during Living History Days.

Nate Champion was born 29 September 1857 near Round Rock, Texas. He was listed as a rustler by the WYOMING STOCKGROWERS in the early 1890s. And he and a fellow cowboy, Reuben "Nick" Ray were killed at the KC cabin on April 9, 1892, by the Invaders.