History: The Town of Ucross

In 1913, Sheridan County was still fairly new, and working towards becoming a place where people wanted to settle. The railroad had only been in Sheridan County for a few short years, having come to the town of Sheridan in 1892.

While it was first expected to go through Buffalo, the Johnson County War had the area unsettled, and the train went directly to Sheridan instead.

When the Wyoming Railroad began running from Clearmont to Buffalo in 1913, which gave Buffalo a link to the national railway network, it was decided to build a town at the confluence of Clear Creek and Piney Creek.

At first it was named ‘Cedar Rapids’ as we see in this story from the Cheyenne State Leader, November 16, 1913 –The Wyoming Railway company has laid out and platted the new town of Cedar Rapids on the line of the railroad that is being built from Clearmont to Buffalo. – The new aspirations for the metropolitan honors is located upon what is known as the “Copps ranch,” at the confluence of Clear Creek and Piney, and is a very attractive spot for the location of a town. The large brick residence formerly used by the family of Mr. Copps is to be used as a hotel. A livery stable, store, blacksmith shop and other businesses are becoming identified there and it will undoubtedly become quite a trading point in the future, being located as it is in the center of the ranch men and stock growers of the two creeks. The name, Cedar Rapids, is given in all probability to the place as a compliment to the men who are at the head of this railroad and land enterprise, whose homes are in the above-named city in the state of Iowa.

An engine from the Wyoming Railway. On display in the Buffalo Park.

And this from the Wyoming Tribune (Cheyenne), November 17, 1913 – Cedar Rapids, Wyoming – Buffalo, Wyo., Nov. 17 – The town of “Cedar Rapids” has appeared on the map of Wyoming. It is on the route of the 32-mile railroad which the Wyoming railroad company is building from Clearmont, on the Burlington, to this place, and the first buildings on its townsite now are being erected.

Later, the name was changed to Charger, and they had a baseball team, as did most towns during the early 1900s. The Sheridan Enterprise, May 23, 1916 in the Ulm news column, had this item about the baseball teams.

The Charger team defeated Ulm at Charger Sunday afternoon by a score of 10-4. The strong pitching of “Whirlwind” Addleman of charger and the timely 3 hasp bit of “Happy Hans brought the first defeat of the season for the Ulm team.

In 1916, the name was changed to Ucross, as it is known today, after one of the brands registered to the Pratt and Ferris Cattle Company, who ranched around the area for many years.

There was a vibrant community there in 1919. The Sheridan Post, November 27, 1919 – Free Thanksgiving Dinner to Be Served— Ucross Nov. 26 – A big Thanksgiving dinner will be served free at the Ucross school house today from noon till 2 p. m. It is given by the Ladies’ Charity club of Ucross. An invitation is extended to everybody to be present.

Frank Backus has just completed the concrete piers across Piney for the Leiter estate, making it possible to furnish plenty of water for irrigation next summer. The coyotes are plentiful in this vicinity. Bob Mitchell trapped six within the past month.

Dinner And Jazz At Ucross Ball – A grand bail will be given at the Ucross dance hall Saturday, Nov. 29, by the Ucross club. A jazz band will furnish the music and supper will be served at midnight. A special train will leave Buffalo at 9.00 p. m. and will return at 3 p. m. (not sure if this meant 3 a.m.) Everybody is welcome and a good time is assured. There is six inches of snow here. and the flakes are still falling.

Poor Outlook for Harvesting Beets. It looks almost impossible to harvest the remainder of the sugar beet crop there being over 350 tons yet in the ground here.

Ucross School today, a part of the Ucross Foundation

In 1913 a call for bids went out to build a schoolhouse in Charger and in 1917 there was this item from The Sheridan Post, on July 6.

Notice To Bidders Bids will be received at the office of H. F. Dye, Clerk of School District No. 44 of Sheridan and Johnson Counties, Wyoming, until 8 o’clock p. m., Saturday July 21, 1917, for the construction and completion of a one-story addition to the frame school house at Ucross, Wyoming, said building to be completed on or before September 1, 1917.

All bids must be accompanied by a certified check payable to the Treasurer of School District, for an amount equal to one-fifth (1-5) of the bid. The Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids offered.

Plans and specifications are on file and may be seen at the store of H. F. Dye, Ucross, Wyoming, at the office of Hill & Griggs, Buffalo, Wyoming, and also at the County Clerks office in the City of Sheridan, Wyoming. H. F. DYE, 7—69-13

Although it has went through renovations over the years, the school house is being used by the Ucross Foundation for the residency program, providing rooms for the residents, as well as a kitchen and dining room.

At one time Ucross had several businesses, a livery stable, store, blacksmith shop, school and dance hall and the Pioneer Lumber yard.

Buffalo Bulletin, September 8, 1921

To be a thriving county, and to make travel easier, Sheridan County needed roads. There were several discussions about where the road between Sheridan and Clearmont should be, and it ultimately went through Ucross.

Wyoming state tribune, July 23, 1921 – Road Controversy Begun by Sheridan is Compromised – Governor Carey returned Saturday afternoon from Sheridan, where he, in company with state highway superintendent Laird, held a meeting to determine where the new road should be built.

A controversy had arisen as to whether the highway department should build it from Clearmont to Gillette or attempt to maintain both the Sheridan-Gillette and Buffalo-Gillette highways. The opinion of the meeting seemed that a compromise through Ucross, Jim Creek and Prairie Dog would better satisfy all concerned.

The several routes were discussed, and the facts brought out that the Ucross road would be but one mile longer than the Ulm route and about 20 miles shorter that the lately designated route by way of Kearney. This road has been an open question for the past two years and much heated discussion has taken place at times as to the proper location, it always having been contended that the Ucross route was five to seven miles longer that the Ulm; road and would be a much more expensive road to build, until the fact was brought out Friday that there was but one mile difference.

The matter was discussed from every angle, but at no time was there any bad spirit shown, and when the vote was finally taken on the motion to advise the highway commission that in the opinion of this meeting there would be no objection to the Ucross route there was no dissenting vote, although the feeling was not unanimous. The delegation from Ulm made a strong presentation of their position in wishing that the road had been routed that way.

Commissioner Laird made a statement as to thereasons why he had felt that the Kearney road was the proper route, believing it could be built at least cost to the state, which had only money enough to build one of the roads and that the remaining funds on hand for Sheridan county were only about$61,000 – which could be expanded this year.

When asked which road he would recommend between Clearmont and Sheridan, he made it plain that his recommendation would be for the Ucross road providing there was money available to build it, and spoke very highly for it as a highway route, which was in excellent condition now and, could be made permanent on the Prairie Dog and Jim creek branches with a much less expenditure, and be maintained very easily. He also hoped that a compromise could be arrived at which would allow the designating of this route as the permanent state highway.

That road is still in use today, and the routes divide in Ucross, the south fork of the road goes to Buffalo, while traveling North the road comes to Sheridan.

Up until the interstate went through Buffalo in 1962, instead of going from Sheridan to Gillette via Clear Creek Valley, Ucross continued as a small town with a bar, cafe and a few other businesses, and tourists using the road helped to keep them open.

Bader Cabin

The Ucross school was closed when Sheridan County consolidated the schools in the 1970s and the students attended Arvada-Clearmont School. Soon, the businesses closed down as well, and the town dried up. The last business in Ucross was the Buck Bader Bar, which hung on at Ucross until the 1980s, and was a popular stopping place along the road. His cabin is now owned the foundation and has been refurbished to provide space for artists.

Today, much of the land where the town once was is owned by the Ucross Foundation, but at one time it was a thriving community. As of the last census, the town has 26 people.