First Day Hike at Kendrick Mansion Well-Attended

Starting at Trail End at 10:00 a.m., New Year’s Day, Trail End Historic Site participated in the “First Day Hike” program – a twenty-plus-year-old national initiative designed to encourage not only a healthy and active lifestyle but an appreciation for the nation’s parks and historic sites.

Sharie Shada, Site Superintendent, Katie Singleton interpretive ranger for education, and Bruce Scigliano from Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Pathfinders were guides for the hike.

The hike took participants around 24 blocks of the surrounding neighborhood and there were stops along the way where Shada shared some history of the area.

Shada talked about the Kendrick Mansion and John B. Kendrick, the rags to riches story from cowboy to ranch owner of ten ranches; then to governor and later three terms as U.S. Senator. “That is what you learn about when you go tour the mansion,” Shada said. But, today,

When the mansion was first built it was on an open hill with no trees. The Kendricks had native and non-native species of trees planted around the mansion. (more than 30 types), essentially creating their very own arboretum. In 1911- 1914, Minneapolis firm of Morell & Nichols designed an outdoor space around the mansion that was more park than yard.

She said that the overall feel of the grounds is what is known as the Natural Style, a plan that favored informal groupings of plants with paths winding throughout, over intricate, formal gardens. Fast-growing Poplar trees were planted on the East and South Lawns to direct a visitor’s eye to the view the Kendrick’s wanted to showcase.

Shada also talked about the high school, which once stood where the Jr. High School now stands. The first school was built in 1896, and was called Hill School. The high school was on the top floor, and by 1908 they built another building near the first building and later the two buildings were connected by a hall way.

In 1916 the school starts providing hearty, economical lunches for students and teachers alike. It was considered to be the first “regular school cafeteria in Northern Wyoming.” The food was served following the “cafeteria plan,” which meant that it was displayed on a long counter, and students would pay for each item as they selected it. For ten cents, one would receive a large helping of roast beef, potatoes, and gravy. The cafeteria served about 200 students every day.

The third stop was the elk pasture, and Shada talked about the Pioneer Park Zoo and the buffalo and elk Pasture. The Zoo was started very soon after the land for the park was donated in 1905 by John Kendrick and was fully operating by 1910.

It closed in the 1970s, not only because of a lack of money to run it, but because new regulations said keeping animals in small cages was animal cruelty. Some of the animals in the zoo at various times included large or exotic animals such as bears, both grey and black wolves, lynx, ocelots, alligators, monkeys, an eagle, and bobcats, but also common animals such as deer, antelope, rabbits, black birds, magpies, ducks, guinea pigs, prairie dogs, possums, raccoon, and porcupines.

She talked about the elk relocation in 1913, and the fact that they kept some at the Park. In 1914 buffalo were added to the park as well. Four buffalo arrived from Kalispell, Mont., and were taken to Pioneer Park. The animals were a gift to this city from John Kendrick. Howard Eaton donated his time and services to bring them here via the Great Northern and Burlington Railroad.

At one stop on Lewis street, Shada talked about the electric streetcars, or trolleys,

Ten months later, the rail system was ready for use. Streetcars were delivered in August 1911. The city had hoped that the streetcars would be ready on “circus day.” On August 7th, 1911, Ringling’s Circus arrived with 86 train car loads, and put on two shows in Sheridan, drawing over 15,000 spectators. That would have been a lot of people to debut the new streetcar system to, but the shipment was delayed and the trolleys didn’t arrive until after the circus left. In 1916, a special morning service was added for the high school students. One trolley made 9 trips a day to Monarch, Acme, Dietz, and Carneyville coal mining communities located north of Sheridan. This was called the Interurban Line. Three miles of rail had been laid within Sheridan, and was called the City Line. One line ran from the Sheridan Inn to Montana Street, which is about 9 blocks.

One stop was at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds. The Loucks family sold the property to the Sheridan County Fairgrounds Association 11 years later in 1906. The main events held here were horse racing and the Sheridan County Fair. Rodeos were held on area ranches.

The Exhibit Building was constructed in 1923. The fairgrounds were also the site of the first plane to land in Sheridan. In 1919, the first airplane landed at an improvised air strip south of the Sheridan County Fairgrounds, when pilot F.S. Woolston flew down from Forsyth, Montana, to attend the horse races.

The day was sunny and mild for New Year’s Day, and over 70 people joined in on the hike. Many people brough theirs dogs along as well. After the hike there were drinks and refreshments at the Kendrick Mansion.