National Register of Historic Places listings in Platte County, Wyoming facts for kids

Location of Platte County in Wyoming

Have you ever wondered about the special places in Wyoming that tell amazing stories from the past? In Platte County, Wyoming, there are many such spots! These places are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a special list kept by the United States government. It helps protect buildings, sites, and objects that are important to history.

When a place is on this list, it means it has a unique story. It might be an old ranch, a historic bridge, or even a famous trail. Some of these places are even more special and are called National Historic Landmarks. Platte County has 13 places on this list, and 3 of them are National Historic Landmarks! Let's explore some of these cool historic sites.

Historic Places in Platte County

Diamond Ranch

The Diamond Ranch is a historic ranch located northwest of Chugwater, Wyoming. It was added to the National Register in 1984. Ranches like this one played a huge role in the history of Wyoming. They helped shape the way people lived and worked in the area.

EWZ Bridge over East Channel of Laramie River

The EWZ Bridge over the East Channel of the Laramie River

Near Wheatland, Wyoming, you can find the EWZ Bridge. This bridge crosses the East Channel of the Laramie River. It was built a long time ago and is a great example of early bridge building. It was added to the historic list in 1985.

Duncan Grant Ranch Rural Historic Landscape

The Duncan Grant Ranch is another important historic place near Wheatland, Wyoming. It's not just a building, but a whole "rural historic landscape." This means the land itself, with its fields and natural features, tells a story about how people used to live and farm here. It joined the list in 2013.

Robert Grant Ranch

The Robert Grant Ranch is also located near Wheatland, Wyoming. This ranch has been in the same family for four generations! It shows how families have worked the land for many years. The ranch provides pasture for animals. Robert Mills Grant, who owned the ranch until 2012, was once a representative for Wyoming. This ranch became historic in 1995.

Guernsey State Park

The museum at Guernsey State Park

About one mile northwest of Guernsey, Wyoming, you'll find Guernsey State Park. This park is not just beautiful; it's also a National Historic Landmark District! It was recognized in 1980 and then again in 1997. The park has amazing old buildings and structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. These structures blend in with the natural beauty of the park.

Oregon Trail Ruts

Wagon wheel ruts from the Oregon Trail near Guernsey

South of Guernsey, Wyoming, you can see something truly amazing: the Oregon Trail Ruts. These are deep grooves left in the rock by thousands of wagons. These wagons were used by pioneers traveling west on the Oregon Trail in the 1800s. It's like a giant footprint from history! This site became a National Historic Landmark in 1966.

Patten Creek Site

The Patten Creek Site is located near Hartville, Wyoming. This site is a bit of a mystery because its exact address is kept private. This is often done to protect important archaeological sites. It was added to the National Register in 1989.

Platte County Courthouse

The Platte County Courthouse in Wheatland

In Wheatland, Wyoming, stands the impressive Platte County Courthouse. This building is where many important decisions for the county are made. Courthouses are often grand buildings that show the importance of local government. This one was added to the list in 2008.

Register Cliff

Names carved into Register Cliff by pioneers

Southeast of Guernsey, Wyoming, along the North Platte River, is Register Cliff. This is another incredible spot connected to the Oregon Trail. Pioneers traveling west would carve their names and messages into the sandstone cliff. It's like an old guestbook from the 1800s! This historic site was listed in 1970.

Sunrise Mine Historic District

The town of Sunrise, Wyoming in 1926

Near Hartville, Wyoming, you'll find the Sunrise Mine Historic District. This area was once a very important mining town. It was known for its iron ore mine. The district tells the story of mining in Wyoming and the lives of the miners and their families. It was added to the list in 2005.

Swan Land and Cattle Company Headquarters

The Swan Land and Cattle Company Headquarters

On the eastern side of Chugwater, Wyoming, stands the Swan Land and Cattle Company Headquarters. This was once the center of a huge cattle ranching operation. It's a great example of the large ranches that shaped the American West. This site became a National Historic Landmark in 1966.

Wheatland Railroad Depot

The Wheatland Railroad Depot was located at 701 Gilchrist Avenue in Wheatland, Wyoming. Railroad depots were busy places where trains stopped, and people and goods were loaded and unloaded. They were vital for connecting towns and bringing supplies. This depot was added to the National Register in 1996. Sadly, it has since been destroyed.