Ucross, Wyoming facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ucross, Wyoming
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 Ucross, Wyoming
Location in Wyoming
Ucross, Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Wyoming |
| County | Sheridan |
| Elevation | 4,082 ft (1,244 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 26 |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| Area code(s) | 307 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1609168 |
Ucross is a small, unincorporated community in Wyoming, United States. It is located in the southern part of Sheridan County. An unincorporated community means it's a place with a shared identity but no official local government.
Ucross sits along the Piney Creek. It is found where two main roads, U.S. Route 14 and U.S. Route 16, meet. The community is about 9.6 miles (15.4 km) west-southwest of a town called Clearmont.
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What is Ucross?
Ucross is a very small community. In 2020, only 26 people lived there. It is sometimes grouped with nearby towns. People call this group the "UCLA of Wyoming." This nickname includes Ucross, Clearmont, Leiter, and Arvada.
How Did Ucross Get Its Name?
The name "Ucross" comes from an old cattle company. This company was called the Pratt and Ferris Cattle Company. Their special brand, or logo, looked like a letter "U" with a cross symbol right below it. This unique logo gave the community its name.
The Ucross Foundation: A Home for Artists
One of the most special things about Ucross is the Ucross Foundation. This foundation was started in 1981. By 1983, it began welcoming artists to stay and work there. It is a non-profit organization, meaning it works for a good cause, not for money.
What is an Artist Residency?
The Ucross Foundation offers an "artist residency" program. This means artists, writers, composers, and choreographers can come and live on a large ranch for a period of time. They get a quiet place to focus on their creative work. The ranch is huge, covering about 20,000 acres.
Over 2,600 creative people have been part of this program. The foundation helps them develop new ideas and projects. It is a very important place for the arts.
The Ucross Art Gallery is also part of the foundation. It is located in the original building of the Pratt and Ferris Cattle Company. This building is known as the Big Red Barn. Today, it is a modern art gallery. It also has a dance studio and a space for performances.
Famous Visitors to Ucross
Many well-known people have visited the Ucross Foundation. They came to work on their art and writing.
- Craig Johnson, who writes the Walt Longmire mystery novels, lives in Ucross.
- Famous writers like Annie Proulx, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Ann Patchett have been residents.
- Musicians and composers like Ricky Ian Gordon have also visited.
- Award-winning artists such as Theaster Gates and Anthony Hernandez have stayed there.
- Pulitzer Prize winners like Michael R. Jackson and Colson Whitehead have worked at Ucross.
- Tony Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul have also been residents.
- The United States Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo, has spent time at Ucross.
