TOWNS and PLACES OF NATRONA COUNTY WYOMING

TOWNS and PLACES OF NATRONA COUNTY

Alcova - created in 1891, named for a "nest of coves" where hot springs flowed from a solid rock wall in the canyon. Alcova Dam was started in 1935 and completed in 1938. Holds a State Park by the same name.

Arminto - the second incorporated town in Natrona County. Named for Manuel Armenta, a rancher near the post office and railroad station.

Astoria Cabin - built in November 1812 by a group led by Robert Stuart (the first group of white men to reach the Columbia River and built Fort Astoria). Asotria Cabin was located on the Platte River, near or on what is now Bessemer Bend.

Berthaton - see Johnstown.

Bessemer - created 1812 by Robert Stuart's returning Astorians. Was a flourishing town through 1889 when it attempted to become the county seat of Natrona County. Plans were in the making for becoming the state capitol. Now a ghost town. Town ceased existing in 1891 when the Bessemer Bridge was seized by the county for unpaid taxes.

Bishop - discontinued post office and railroad station established in 1913. Named for Marvin L. Bishop, President of Natrona County Woolgrowers.

CY Ranch - name of ranch owned by Joseph M. Carey on which part of Casper was built. CY Avenue in Casper is named after the ranch.

Cadoma - railroad station created in 1903.

Casper - established prior to 1888. Named originally Caspar after Fort Caspar (the former Camp Platte). When the railroad station was named Casper in 1888, the town changed its name as well. Casper Mountain near Casper has a 500 acre park on top, which includes a ski area.

Clarkson - discontinued post office on the Clarkson ranch, discontinued in 1901.

Devil's Gate - a stop on the Oregon Trail and a Pony Express stop. In November 1856, Capt Edward Martin's handcart company of 576 Mormons found shelter here from a blizzard. They were rescued by a party from Salt Lake City.

Eadsville - mining camp established 1891 on top of Casper Mountain by Charles W. Eads. Town ceased after the mining boom collapsed in 1897.

Edgerton - on the edge of the famous Salt Creek oil field, north of Casper.

Ervay - discontinued post office, established in 1882 by Jake E Ervay. Was on the stage line between Casper and Lander.

Evansville - oil refinery town east of Casper, named for W. T. Evans.

Fort Casper - originally Camp Platte. Built in 1858. Named after Lt. Caspar Collins.

Freeland - discontinued post office and railroad station, named after rancher Bill Freeland in Bates Hole.

Goose Egg - discontinued post office on the Goose Egg Ranch.

Hell's Half Acre- west of Casper - once known as Devils Kitchen. A public park of 320 acres of very unusual spires and caverns, etc.

Hemingway - railroad siding for loading livestock, named after Ambrose Hemingway.

Hiland - a village west of Casper, the highest point on the C&NW RR. Also known as Poison Creek Station and as Wolton.

Horse Creek - a Pony Express station in 1824.

Illco - discontinued post office - "from a trade name".

Independence Rock - now a tourist stop - a stop over on the Oregon Trail with over 5000 names carved in the rocks by traverlers in the mid 1800's.

Johnstown - soda mining camp created in 1892. Name changed to Berthaton in 1896 after Bertha Barns.

Lavoye - now a ghost town named after Louis Lavoye, homesteader.

Midwest - created in 1898, and first named Shannon Camp. Also was the first place in the nation in 1925 to have a football game played under electric lights.

Miller - discontinued post office, after U.S. Miller, postmaster.

Mills - Created in 1919 and named after three Mills brothers - James, William and Thomas.

Missouri Valley - homesteaded by Missouri settlers in 1907.

New Wolton - see Hiland

North Platte - Pony Express station named after the Platte River.

Oil City - created in the 1880's by S. A. Aggers who came from Oil City, PA and drilled for oil here.

Peckville - oil camp near Midwest in the home of Rev. Oscar Peckenpaugh.

Petrie - railroad stion named for John Petrie.

Poison Creek - see Hiland.

Powder River - west of Casper - named after Powder River.

Raderville - discontinued post office named after the Rader family.

Red Buttes - stage and Pony Express stop.

Shannon - discontinued post office at Shannon Oil Field, part of the Salt Creek Oil Field.

Shrap - discontinued post office, after its postmaster, Robert H. Shrap.

Sodium - railroad station named after the nearby sodium deposits.

Strouds - railroad station established in 1884, after Joshua Strouds.

Sun - first cabin built here in 1870's, named after Tom Sun who built the first cabin. Post office now discontinued.

Sweetwater Station - stage and Pony Express stop.

Teapot - oiltown named after Teapot Rock.

Waltman - originally known as Keg Springs, name changed to Waltman, after Waltman Walters, son of an early C&NW RR official.

Walton - originally known as Wolton - in wool shipping area - see Hiland

Source: Wyoming Place Names by Mae Urbanek

Transcribed by Mary and Don Saban

Page Created on April 6, 2000

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Page Last Updated 07/30/2008