The Historic Trails of Wyoming and Nebraska

Historic Trails Interpretive Center
Where Historic Trails Cross

This magnificent new interpretive facility in Casper, Wyoming tells the story of the covered wagon pioneers and the trails they traveled. Located almost in the ruts of the Oregon, California, Mormon, Pioneer and Pony Express trails, the National His-toric Trails Interpretive Center is dedicated to the emigrants who ventured west in search of new lives, new land or religious freedom in a raw, wild land. The story is told in the pioneers' own words, taken from thousands of authentic diaries and journals.

Visitors will experience the history of native peoples, mountainmen, trappers and explorers who established the trails. They will meet hope-filled farm families seeking new land in Oregon, wild and reckless "Forty-Niners" rushing to the gold fields of California, and determined Mormons pushing toward a new freedom in the Great Salt Lake Valley. Pony Express riders and stagecoach drivers round out the story. Historic trail buffs should also visit the Mormon Handcart Visitors' Center, 55 miles southwest of Casper on Hwy. 220. Over 150 members of two Mormon handcart companies died from starvation and exposure in an October blizzard near Devil's Gate in 1856. Their tragedy and rescue are interpreted at the Visitors' Center.