Southwest of Tensleep on the Nowood River. First called "Red Bank" and changed to avoid confusion in mails, as there was another Red Bank. "Big Trails" so named for the four main trails that lead to the site from the four main points of the compass.
Source: WPA
Named for the four main trails which lead to the site from the four main points of the compass.
Source: Annals 14(3)
Other Names: Red Bank
Alternative Spellings: Bigtrails
History:
Bigtrails Post Office was established in May, 1898 in Big Horn County prior to the formation of Washakie County. It was discontinued in April, 1942 and its mail then handled by Tensleep Post Office.
Source: Wyoming Post Offices
Small postoffice in Big Horn County, 67 miles southeast from Basin. Stock raising the leading industry.
Source: Wyoming State Business Directory, 1910-11
Before the present Star Route was provided for, the stage line through this section extended from Lost Cabin in Big Horn County. The mail was carried by team, and frequently in the winter with pack horses. The route followed the present one in most places and the stage made the trip from Lost Cabin to Big Trails in one day and returned the next. At first horses were changed at Nowood but later at the Brower Ranch, now, “Lone Tree”, owned by C.E. Orchard as it was more centrally located. The driver from Bonanza made the trip to Big Trails in one day and returned the next changing horses at Ten Sleep. The best known of these early day drivers were Sam Brant and Jack Crossley. The Big Trail was the old Indian trail used by the Crows and Arapahoe in visiting between reservations. Big Trails Post Office is located at the place where the trail crossed Canyon Creek. This trail extended from the Crow Reservation northeast of Sheridan to what is now the Shoshoni or Wind River Reservation. At that time there was no reservation at Wind River and the Crows claimed all territory between the Missouri and the Rockies. The trail crossed the Nowood where the Big Trails crossing now is, the lower part of the Orchard Ranch, Canyon Creek at the Post Office and followed the present highway to Otter Creek. It crossed that creek and followed the foot of the mountain on the north side of Spring Creek to Monument Springs and thence out of the country.
Source: WPA
Stories:
Maps:
1:24000 Quadrangle: Big Trails
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