Annual Festivals: Trail Days August 2-5, 2007
Summer Rodeos (7 P.M.) May 25; June 8, 15, 22, 29; July 13, 20; August 3, 2007
The first community reached in Wyoming on Interstate-80, Pine Bluffs is on the old Texas Cattle Trail and at one time, about 1884, was the largest cattle shipping point on the Union Pacific Railroad. Visit the Pine Bluffs Rest Area and Wildlife Area, featuring an archeological site and a wildlife habitat trail. First known as Rock Ranch, Pine Bluffs is a small town rich in amazing historical heritage. The name was changed by railroad officials for the pines on the nearby bluffs.
In 1868 Pine Bluffs consisted of a tent, a slab shack with a stone chimney, and a square shed of canvas-covered poles. Cattle herds moved up the Texas Trail which ran through Pine Bluffs and became the largest cattle shipping point on the UP Railroad around 1884.A few years later, in 1898, Mr. C.W. Johnson opened up one of Pine Bluffs' oldest stores. It was a proven success from the beginning, and remained opened until the latter half of the 20th century.
By the early 1900's Pine Bluffs was a very well-known little town. It was once know as the best lighted city of it size in the entire United States. The Pine Bluffs Lighting Company was organized in September of 1909. This company used gas produced by a new process, giving the light more brilliance.
Along with a growing town economy, agricultural endeavors were also booming around Pine Bluffs. In 1909 the local farmers got a chance to show off their hard work and dedication to the land. A unique but successful fair called the "Harvest Festival" was put on to showcase the vegetable and dry-farming section variety in the town. The main feature of the fair was the Grain Palace. Built entirely of different grain crops, this magnificent building covered 24x36 feet and 14 feet to the eaves. The Grain Palace was filled with exhibits of area artwork made from home-grown products.
Before the cowboys and cattle arrived, the area was home to numerous Indian tribes. Artifacts from these early inhabitants are being uncovered at the Archaeological Dig Site during summer months.
The first fort in Wyoming was started as a fur trade post in 1834, known as Fort John. Located near the Laramie River, it had become Fort Laramie by 1849 when the military took control. The fort's grounds just west of the town of Fort Laramie in southeast Wyoming have an open parade ground surrounded by military-era buildings. One structure, Old Bedlam, is the oldest standing building in the State of Wyoming. At or near Fort Laramie, fur traders, overland emigrants, the frontier army and Indians gathered as they came to trade, work and meet. read more
From museums of wildlife art to museums dedicated to Wyoming's Western heritage, the inquisitive vistor will have plenty to see and do in Wyoming's museums. read more
