Oregon Trail in Wyoming (centers, cemeteries, place)

[Clay Lady]

The interesting thing to me about your posting this info is this has been a subject of a few conversations I have had lately. Talk about "Right Meets Left" and what is the correct action to take!

From the stand point of protecting our history it is a good idea. If steps are not taken to mark off places that can not be crossed by vehicles or drilled or dug or any of the other things that have happened to "special" areas than they will continue to be destoryed. I have seen interesting rock formations bull dozed for a road when they really could have just went over twenty feet!

There is a movement that would like to stop drilling in Wyoming - probably other places but Wyoming has been the subject of the conversations. The drilling industry has reduced their foot print. The rigs are run on these rails and they drill along in this row now instead of moving more of a distance. They have to have roads in and a storage area. It takes an area of land to drill a well.

There is an exhibit in Jackson that opens the 13th and runs until some time in December that shows satellite images of the whole state and how each area has been impacted in some way by the energy "business". I'm not going to be able to attend on Saturday when the man that put the exhibit together speaks. I plan to see the exhibit the next week when I'll be in Jackson.

The drilling industry has kept me in cute shoes for many years and hopefully it will for many more. I want to protect our historical places. The wording and the actual outcome of the bill has some issues. I personally think they should hire someone in each area that can point out what needs protecting. It would be nice to have a crystal ball.

[HighlandLady]

Originally Posted by Clay Lady

The interesting thing to me about your posting this info is this has been a subject of a few conversations I have had lately. Talk about "Right Meets Left" and what is the correct action to take!

From the stand point of protecting our history it is a good idea. If steps are not taken to mark off places that can not be crossed by vehicles or drilled or dug or any of the other things that have happened to "special" areas than they will continue to be destoryed. I have seen interesting rock formations bull dozed for a road when they really could have just went over twenty feet!

There is a movement that would like to stop drilling in Wyoming - probably other places but Wyoming has been the subject of the conversations. The drilling industry has reduced their foot print. The rigs are run on these rails and they drill along in this row now instead of moving more of a distance. They have to have roads in and a storage area. It takes an area of land to drill a well.

There is an exhibit in Jackson that opens the 13th and runs until some time in December that shows satellite images of the whole state and how each area has been impacted in some way by the energy "business". I'm not going to be able to attend on Saturday when the man that put the exhibit together speaks. I plan to see the exhibit the next week when I'll be in Jackson.

The drilling industry has kept me in cute shoes for many years and hopefully it will for many more. I want to protect our historical places. The wording and the actual outcome of the bill has some issues. I personally think they should hire someone in each area that can point out what needs protecting. It would be nice to have a crystal ball.

Yes, I agree with you...hence the choice of words "might be a good endeavour". I am a wife of an oil industry worker, I am the daughter of one...and yet, I have the passions I do...the Trail being one of them. I can understand both sides of this situation very well. It will be interesting to see what they can come up with.

[Clay Lady]

SEC. 323. ACCEPTANCE OF THE DONATION OF VALID EXISTING MINING OR LEASING RIGHTS IN THE WYOMING RANGE.

• (a) Notification of Leaseholders- Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide notice to holders of valid existing mining or leasing rights within the Wyoming Range Withdrawal Area of the potential opportunity for repurchase of those rights and retirement under this section.

• (b) Request for Lease Retirement-

• • (1) IN GENERAL- A holder of a valid existing mining or leasing right within the Wyoming Range Withdrawal Area may submit a written notice to the Secretary of the interest of the holder in the retirement and repurchase of that right.

• • (2) LIST OF INTERESTED HOLDERS- The Secretary shall prepare a list of interested holders and make the list available to any non-Federal entity or person interested in acquiring that right for retirement by the Secretary.

• (c) Prohibition- The Secretary may not use any Federal funds to purchase any right referred to in subsection (a).

• ***************************************

This is a quote taken from the bill that HighlandLady has placed in her post above this one. The bill is a big one covering a lot of land in the US - not just Wyoming. You have until November 17, 2008 to send in your comments.

I don't like what I have been hearing about this bill and I don't like what I have just read. I feel like there should be a better way to protect the historic areas in the states targeted. I don't like that this is being taken up in a Lame Duck session.

If you own mineral rights anywhere you may want to pay attention.

[HighlandLady]

Just a missive to relay that Gregory Franzwa passed away two nights ago; he recently found he had pancreatic cancer. He was an invaluable man in his endeavours to educate and watch over the Historic Trails. I own most of his books, some are in dire need of replacement due to loving and well-use. He was instrumental in OCTA.
R.I.P. Greg...happy trails.

[The Grill God]

I believe we can protect some critically historic places and at the same time have development. The wife an I are at odds to what this means in the past. The Oregon Trail is a wonderful thing that I never really took notice of until I got married and was thrust into it by someone with a great passion for it. I have learned a lot. I truely believe that the places such registry cliffs, independance rock, some of the deeper ruts through the rocks, and other significant places should be preserved for future generations. However, and this is where some disagreement takes place. The Oregon Trail was really, really long (I use that because I don't know the number), and divided the country to say it all should be preserved would be irresponsible. It another 50 years I-80 could be considered historic and you wouldn't be able to drive on it, build on it, or wreck it in anyway. In the end the trail was a highway, the real historic value in it IMO such as it is, is in the gravestone, the signatures, devils gate, independance rock, and places where maybe significant events took place on the trail. I know this will meet some hostility maybe, but there has to be a balance. Sorry, honey.

[Clay Lady]

Originally Posted by The Grill God

I believe we can protect some critically historic places and at the same time have development. The wife an I are at odds to what this means in the past. The Oregon Trail is a wonderful thing that I never really took notice of until I got married and was thrust into it by someone with a great passion for it. I have learned a lot. I truely believe that the places such registry cliffs, independance rock, some of the deeper ruts through the rocks, and other significant places should be preserved for future generations. However, and this is where some disagreement takes place. The Oregon Trail was really, really long (I use that because I don't know the number), and divided the country to say it all should be preserved would be irresponsible. It another 50 years I-80 could be considered historic and you wouldn't be able to drive on it, build on it, or wreck it in anyway. In the end the trail was a highway, the real historic value in it IMO such as it is, is in the gravestone, the signatures, devils gate, independance rock, and places where maybe significant events took place on the trail. I know this will meet some hostility maybe, but there has to be a balance. Sorry, honey.

I believe you are correct. We should all be grateful for the the life work/passion that people have had for the Oregon Trail. Their passion helps us to know our past. If we have businesses "to big to fail", we surely have historic markers that are too meaningful to destroy.

It seems like lately every issue comes down to education. Many of us really enjoyed it when HighlandLady posted info about the Trail. We learned facts and were able to understand her passion. This helps us think about something that was off our radar - but is very important.

The drilling industry has made major strides in directional drilling and they are getting the clue about rig placement. They would not have come to this place without being educated about what people value.

[Froggie Legs]

Does anyone know offhand if there are graves near the Oregon Buttes and South Pass City along the trail? Kind of a morbid curiosity but I'd be interested in taking my hubby out to the trail this summer and want to point out more than just the Pony Express marker

[HighlandLady]

Originally Posted by Froggie Legs

Does anyone know offhand if there are graves near the Oregon Buttes and South Pass City along the trail? Kind of a morbid curiosity but I'd be interested in taking my hubby out to the trail this summer and want to point out more than just the Pony Express marker

There were a couple of graves in sad disarray when I hiked by Oregon Buttes - this was 10 years ago. Any marking on them were worn by winds and time, I'm afraid, and I do not know if there even remains the markers. Many, many graves went unmarked on the Trail, sadly, time and lack of material in which to carve anything suitable was all too common.
Let me search about my photos and books to see if there is anything of interest with regards to this for you...but if you are in the South Pass area, there are ruts and swales all about.


Edited to add...
It is said that roughly every 1/10th of a mile, there is a grave along the Trail. Often times the departed was buried directly in the ruts to insure that the grave would remain out of reach of wild animals, etc.
I found one photo that shows a grave that is unmarked...this is an example of what you can look for anywhere along the Trail.

BLM has an exceptionally fine lookout in the South Pass area. Also, the Lander-Cutoff is in the area....you may wish to explore that

[WyoNewk]

To the best of my recollection, there's a small graveyard near (east?) of Miners Delight. It's been 13 years since I was there, and I could have it mixed up with another ghost town, but I believe there were a few graves with markers there. I don't know how close it is to the Trail itself, but it's only a few miles from South Pass City.

I posted a couple pictures of the town site here (post #8):
Miners Delight

[Froggie Legs]

Thanks Highlandlady, I don't recall any cairn type piles when I last visited the Trail, but then that was a while ago and we went with a local guy my aunt and uncle know, who lives in Atlantic City. I enjoy reading about that period in history, and often wonder what I would have done on the Trail...probably been a teacher or mother..if I would have lived past 25 or so. Likely I wouldn't since I had a thyroid problem in my early twenties that would have killed me if left untreated. Strange to think about the timeliness of ones birth, and I wonder what women on the Trail thought as they were battling sickness, disease and death, along with the elements. Do you know of any women's journals from the Trail? I once read a man's account from Lander, but I am not aware of women writers of that era and area.

And yes WyoNewk... I forgot that you had posted pictures of that area... is there a map to find that place easily or should I ask for a local guide/help?