Tom Sun Ranch
Encyclopedia
Tom Sun Ranch, also known as Sun Ranch, is a historic site along the old Oregon Trail
and Mormon Trail
, about 6 mi (9.7 km) west of Independence Rock, Wyoming on Wyoming Highway 220
.
In 1882, The Cheyenne Daily Leader, remarked that "the eastern person of inquiring turn of mind who writes to his friends out west to ask what a ranch is like would find his answer in a description of Tom Sun's."
The ranch site was declared a National Historic Landmark
on December 19, 1960.
At the time of its nomination as a landmark it was one of the best preserved ranches from the cattle ranging period and was 4120 acres (16.7 km²) in size.
for nearby Martin's Cove
, an important Mormon
historic site. Structures on the site have been stabilized and repaired, but the setting has been impacted by the development of parking lot
s and landscape designs not consistent with the original historic setting. However, large portions of the landmark area, particularly sections in public ownership, continue to retain their historic integrity.
Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail is a historic east-west wagon route that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon and locations in between.After 1840 steam-powered riverboats and steamboats traversing up and down the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers sped settlement and development in the flat...
and Mormon Trail
Mormon Trail
The Mormon Trail or Mormon Pioneer Trail is the 1,300 mile route that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traveled from 1846 to 1868...
, about 6 mi (9.7 km) west of Independence Rock, Wyoming on Wyoming Highway 220
Wyoming Highway 220
Wyoming Highway 220 is the principal highway connecting the city of Casper to US 287/WYO 789. WYO 220 lies in northwestern Carbon and southern Natrona counties and along the famous Oregon Trail.- Route description :...
.
History
The ranch's builder, Tom Sun, was a French-Canadian frontiersman who later became a pioneer cattleman. During the 1870s and 1880s the ranch was typical of many medium-sized ranching operations in cattle country.In 1882, The Cheyenne Daily Leader, remarked that "the eastern person of inquiring turn of mind who writes to his friends out west to ask what a ranch is like would find his answer in a description of Tom Sun's."
The ranch site was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
on December 19, 1960.
At the time of its nomination as a landmark it was one of the best preserved ranches from the cattle ranging period and was 4120 acres (16.7 km²) in size.
Recent development and renovations
The ranch remained in the Sun family for four generations until 1997 when it was sold to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Since that time some of the ranch buildings have been transformed into a visitor centerVisitor center
A visitor center or centre , visitor information center, tourist information center, is a physical location that provides tourist information to the visitors who tour the place or area locally...
for nearby Martin's Cove
Martin's Cove
Martin's Cove is a historic site in Wyoming. The 933 acre cove is located 55 miles southwest of Casper, Wyoming, in Natrona County. It is located on the Mormon Trail and is also part of the North Platte-Sweetwater segment of the Oregon Trail...
, an important Mormon
Mormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
historic site. Structures on the site have been stabilized and repaired, but the setting has been impacted by the development of parking lot
Parking lot
A parking lot , also known as car lot, is a cleared area that is intended for parking vehicles. Usually, the term refers to a dedicated area that has been provided with a durable or semi-durable surface....
s and landscape designs not consistent with the original historic setting. However, large portions of the landmark area, particularly sections in public ownership, continue to retain their historic integrity.
See also
- Devil's GateDevil's Gate (Wyoming)Devil's Gate is a natural rock formation, a gorge on the Sweetwater River a few miles southwest of Independence Rock. The site, significant in the history of western pioneers, was a major landmark on the Mormon Trail and the Oregon Trail although the actual routes of travel did not pass through...
- List of Registered Historic Places in Wyoming
- Martin's CoveMartin's CoveMartin's Cove is a historic site in Wyoming. The 933 acre cove is located 55 miles southwest of Casper, Wyoming, in Natrona County. It is located on the Mormon Trail and is also part of the North Platte-Sweetwater segment of the Oregon Trail...
- Mormon TrailMormon TrailThe Mormon Trail or Mormon Pioneer Trail is the 1,300 mile route that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traveled from 1846 to 1868...
- Oregon TrailOregon TrailThe Oregon Trail is a historic east-west wagon route that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon and locations in between.After 1840 steam-powered riverboats and steamboats traversing up and down the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers sped settlement and development in the flat...
External links
- Tom Sun Ranch National Historic Landmark at the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office