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Saint Marys Station

 

Name: Saint Marys Station

 

County: Fremont

 

Authority Name:

 

GNIS Entry

 

Longitude:  1082141W

Latitude: 422841N

 

Legal Description:

 

Elevation: 6755/2059

(ft/m)

 

Feature Type: Locale, Pony Express Station, Stage Station

 

Origin of Name:

 

Other Names: Rocky Ridge Station, Saint Marys Stage Station

 

Alternative Spellings: St. Mary's Station

 

History:

The site of St. Mary's Stage Station, also called Rocky Ridge Station because of a cliff near by, is marked with a stone tablet. The station was built in 1859 by Russell, Majors and Waddell, and when the transcontinental telegraph line was established in 1861, St. Mary's was made a depot. In May, 1865, while the five-man garrison hid in an abandoned well, 150 Cheyenne and Arapaho burned the station and cut 400 yards of telegraph wire. When the ammunition in the buildings exploded, they fled. The station was rebuilt, but nothing remains except old square-cut nails, melted glass, broken pottery, and pieces of telegraph insulators.

Source: Wyoming Guide

 

"Up a kanyon of the Sweetwater. Ford the river 5

times, making a total of 8. After 16 miles, "Ice

Springs" in a swampy valley, and one quarter of a

mile beyond "Warm Springs." Then rough de-

scent and waterless stretch. Descend by "Lan-

der's Cut-off" into fertile bottom. "Rocky Ridge

Station;" at Muskrat Creek good cold spring,

grass, and sage fuel."

Source: Burton, "Emigrants Itinerary"

 

Listed as Rocky Ridge Station on the 1861 Overland Mail Contract, in Henderson's papers and on Bishop & Henderson map.

Source: WSL

 

Located 12 miles from Warm Springs Station and 12 miles from Rock Creek Station on east side of Silver Creek. Known by many as St. Mary’s Station. This was a Home Station and William Reid was Station Tender.

Source: Henderson

 

Stories:

 

Maps:

1:24000 Quadrangle: Barras Springs

 

Newspapers:

 

More Information:  

Godfrey, Anthony. Pony Express National Historic Trail Historic Resource Study. National Park Service, August, 1994.

http://www.nps.gov/archive/poex/hrs/hrs.htm

 

Pictures: