Clark, Wyoming
Encyclopedia
Clark, Wyoming is a small rural community approximately 30 miles (50 km) north of Cody, WY on Hwy 120, in Park County, Wyoming. Clark is unincorporated, and has no specific central "town site" per se, or town services. It is included in the Powell
Zip Code area, which is approximately 30 miles (50 km) away, but has no other formal connection to Powell.
Clark is a community with close relationships among the roughly 300 full time residents (who share approximate 50 square miles (129.5 km²) of real estate). Residents are a mix of farmers (irrigation water from local creeks and river), ranchers, and retirees who come to the area for the peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. Otherwise those working generally have employment in Powell or Cody. There is an elementary school in Clark. Jr High and High School students bus to Powell, some to Belfy Mt.
Clark borders the Shoshone National Forest
, State, and BLM administered lands and Clark's Fork River/Canyon, making it a prime area for the outdoor enthusiast. Winters are moderately mild, with elevation averages of about 4500 feet (1,371.6 m). The area is semi-arid high desert sagebrush plains with little rain or snowfall, less than 10" per year, as the bordering mountains squeeze much of the moisture from the atmosphere. It was a wintering area for Indian tribes in the 19th century, due to the milder temps, relative lack of snow, abundant sunshine and game animals. Tipi rings can be found in the area.
, and later well known mountain man, broke off from the expedition on the return trip in 1806, explored the Yellowstone area, and spent a winter near the future Clark with another man. Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, running from the US Army in 1877, came thru the area, and out the mouth of Clarks Fork Canyon on his way to Canada. There was a battle between General Nelson A. Miles
and some Bannock Indians along Little Rock Creek. The creek was named for one of the scouts involved in that battle. Bennett Creek is named for a Captain Bennett that was killed in the engagement. Part of the saga of Earl Durrand, outlaw and backwoodsman, was played out in Clark.
Clark plus the Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone River
were named for William Clark, of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Powell, Wyoming
Powell is a city in Park County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 5,373 at the 2000 census. Powell is an All-America City and home to Northwest College.-Geography:Powell is located at ....
Zip Code area, which is approximately 30 miles (50 km) away, but has no other formal connection to Powell.
Clark is a community with close relationships among the roughly 300 full time residents (who share approximate 50 square miles (129.5 km²) of real estate). Residents are a mix of farmers (irrigation water from local creeks and river), ranchers, and retirees who come to the area for the peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. Otherwise those working generally have employment in Powell or Cody. There is an elementary school in Clark. Jr High and High School students bus to Powell, some to Belfy Mt.
Clark borders the Shoshone National Forest
Shoshone National Forest
Shoshone National Forest is the first federally protected National Forest in the United States and covers nearly 2.5 million acres in the state of Wyoming. Originally a part of the Yellowstone Timberland Reserve, the forest was created by an act of Congress and signed into law by U.S....
, State, and BLM administered lands and Clark's Fork River/Canyon, making it a prime area for the outdoor enthusiast. Winters are moderately mild, with elevation averages of about 4500 feet (1,371.6 m). The area is semi-arid high desert sagebrush plains with little rain or snowfall, less than 10" per year, as the bordering mountains squeeze much of the moisture from the atmosphere. It was a wintering area for Indian tribes in the 19th century, due to the milder temps, relative lack of snow, abundant sunshine and game animals. Tipi rings can be found in the area.
History
John Colter, a member of the Lewis and Clark expeditionLewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, or ″Corps of Discovery Expedition" was the first transcontinental expedition to the Pacific Coast by the United States. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and led by two Virginia-born veterans of Indian wars in the Ohio Valley, Meriwether Lewis and William...
, and later well known mountain man, broke off from the expedition on the return trip in 1806, explored the Yellowstone area, and spent a winter near the future Clark with another man. Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, running from the US Army in 1877, came thru the area, and out the mouth of Clarks Fork Canyon on his way to Canada. There was a battle between General Nelson A. Miles
Nelson A. Miles
Nelson Appleton Miles was a United States soldier who served in the American Civil War, Indian Wars, and the Spanish-American War.-Early life:Miles was born in Westminster, Massachusetts, on his family's farm...
and some Bannock Indians along Little Rock Creek. The creek was named for one of the scouts involved in that battle. Bennett Creek is named for a Captain Bennett that was killed in the engagement. Part of the saga of Earl Durrand, outlaw and backwoodsman, was played out in Clark.
Clark plus the Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone River
Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately long, in the western United States. Considered the principal tributary of the upper Missouri, the river and its tributaries drain a wide area stretching from the Rocky Mountains in the vicinity of the Yellowstone National...
were named for William Clark, of the Lewis and Clark expedition.