Name: Difficulty

 

County: Carbon

 

Authority Name:

 

GNIS Entry

 

Longitude:  1062418W

Latitude: 420341N

 

Legal Description:

 

Elevation: 6653/2028

(ft/m)

 

Feature Type: Locale, Post Office

 

Origin of Name:

This place acquired its unusual name in a rather funny manner. During the summer of 1879 a band of Indians stole a small herd of horses from an old man who was herding them near Carbon. The Indians headed toward the mountains with the animals and were pursued by several citizens of the mining town. The horses were never recovered, but the men discovered some beautiful nooks near the Shirley Mountains and decided to locate there, with their families. They did and while moving from Carbon to their new homes they came to the pretty, clear and innocent looking little creek and without the least suspicion, drove in only to find themselves in a predicament. Only with great difficulty were they able to get out after many hours of hard work, and right there they christened the stream Difficulty, and so it has ever been. When the post office was established, it was only natural that it should be named after the creek, on whose banks it stands. The first house was built by Sam Keane in 1878.

Source: WPA

 

Named for a creek nearby which received its name from a group of men who, in looking for some stolen horses, became mired in the stream.

Source: Annals 14(3)  

 

Other Names: 

 

Alternative Spellings:

 

History:

Difficulty Post Office was established on February 8, 1904 with Olive Ellis as postmaster. It was discontinued on February 27, 1937 after which its mail was handled by Medicine Bow Post Office.

Source: Wyoming Post Offices

 

A postoffice in Carbon County. Stock raising the leading industry.

Source: Wyoming State Business Directory, 1910-11 

 

Stories:

 

Maps:

1:24000 Quadrangle: Difficulty

 

Newspapers:

 

More Information: 

 

Pictures: