A Gold Rush route, and Casper’s marching pride
This month, we feature a way through late-1840s Wyoming, and an internationally competing group.
Attracting fortune hunters
One of three major roads across the mountain West, the Cherokee Trail ran from the Cherokee Nation—present Oklahoma—to the California gold fields. It served as a principal route for people from the South to lands of their dreams—and it crossed what’s now Wyoming on the way. Read more in David Johnson’s article, “En Route to the Land of Gold: The Cherokee Trail in Wyoming.”
Constant rehearsing
Marching through 60 years of diligent practice, winning prize after prize and generating civic pride, the Casper Troopers grew from a local operation to one that attracts young musicians from across the United States—and performs nationwide. Read more in Michelle Bahe’s article, “The Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps.”
70th Annual State Trek
There’s still time to sign up for the 70th Annual State Trek of the Wyoming Historical Society, Thursday through Sunday June 20-24, 2024—based this year in Thermopolis, home of the world’s largest mineral hot springs and occasional hangout of Butch Cassidy. Friday will feature in-town and nearby driving and walking tours. Saturday offers a bus tour to the coal-mining ghost town of Gebo, the petroglyphs at Legend Rock, Hamilton Dome, the Arapaho Ranch Field Station and Anchor Dam. Plus a banquet and much more. Spots are filling up—and rooms at Thermopolis hotels are filling up too! Book soon! Find all the info you need at https://wyshs.org/events.
Latest from the Blog
On the Trails in a Dangerous Year
The Civil War drew nearly all the Army’s attention and troops to the East, yet emigrants continued flooding west, many of them to escape the war. And the tribes resisted. Emigrant Tales of the Platte River Raids: An 1864 Trail Diary Companion gives background and context for the accounts of nearly 70 diarists who traveled the trails in 1864.
A Bird In Hand
The old saw, “A bird in hand is worth two in the bush” has to do with procuring food. But when you are banding, you’re giving rather than taking.
Upcoming Events around Wyoming
For April calendar events, visit the Wyoming Historical Society’s website. If you know of upcoming history-related events in Wyoming, send a note to editor@wyohistory.org.