Wyoming, Albany County, Laramie
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The route that later became the Overland Trail was followed in 1825 by William Ashley and members of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, who entered the Laramie Valley from the south, forded the Medicine Bow River near Elk Mountain, and crossed the divide at Bridger's Pass. In 1843, an exploration party led by Captain John C. Fremont followed Ashley's path and determined it could be used for westward emigration. The portion of the route known as the Cherokee Trail was defined in 1849 when a group of Cherokee Indians bound for the California gold fields crossed souther Wyoming on their way west.
The route did not see heavy use until 1862, when Ben Holladay, who had recently acquired a contract to carry the U.S. mail, relocated the course of his Overland Stage Company to the south to avoid Indian attacks occurring along the Oregon Trail in central Wyoming. For several years, Holladay's Concord stages, heavily loaded with U.S. mail, carried passengers and other cargo along the Overland Trail through southern Wyoming.
From 1862 to 1868, the trail was the principal transportation corridor for thousands of emigrants moving west. Increased emigration led to clashes with Indians. Additional military forts, such as Fort Sanders and Fort Steele, were constructed to provide protection.
When construction began on the Transcontinental Railroad, Holladay realized demand for stagecoach travel would soon diminish. In 1866, he sold out to the Wells Fargo Stagecoach Line, which carried passengers and mail along the trail of another two and a half years. With the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, Wells Fargo terminated its service along the route. Although railroad travel made the journey west quicker and easier than before, the Overland Trail continued to be used by emigrants until the turn of the century.
(Roads & Vehicles) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
The route that later became the Overland Trail was followed in 1825 by William Ashley and members of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, who entered the Laramie Valley from the south, forded the Medicine Bow River near Elk Mountain, and crossed the divide at Bridger's Pass. In 1843, an exploration party led by Captain John C. Fremont followed Ashley's path and determined it could be used for westward emigration. The portion of the route known as the Cherokee Trail was defined in 1849 when a group of Cherokee Indians bound for the California gold fields crossed souther Wyoming on their way west. The route did not see heavy use until 1862, when Ben Holladay, who had recently acquired a contract to carry the U.S. mail, relocated the course of his Overland Stage Company to the south to avoid Indian attacks occurring along the Oregon Trail in central Wyoming. For several years, Holladay's Concord stages, heavily loaded with U.S. mail, carried passengers and other cargo along the Overland Trail through southern Wyoming.
From 1862 to 1868, the trail was the principal transportation corridor for thousands of emigrants moving west. Increased emigration led to clashes with Indians. Additional military forts, such as Fort Sanders and Fort Steele, were constructed to provide protection.
When construction began on the Transcontinental Railroad, Holladay realized demand for stagecoach travel would soon diminish. In 1866, he sold out to the Wells Fargo Stagecoach Line, which carried passengers and mail along the trail of another two and a half years. With the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, Wells Fargo terminated its service along the route. Although railroad travel made the journey west quicker and easier than before, the Overland Trail continued to be used by emigrants until the turn of the century.
(Roads & Vehicles) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
What a welcome sight Virginia Dale must have been to nineteenth-century travelers. It was one of the largest stagecoach stations on the Overland Trail, offering hot meals and other conveniences to weary passengers - the equivalent, for its day, of an interstate truck stop. Westbound emigrants parked their wagons here, too, restocking their larders and gathering information about the road ahead, while ranchers came from miles around for supplies, conversation, and (on Saturday nights) raucous dances. Founded in 1862, Virginia Dale enjoyed a lively heyday until 1869. when the transcontinental railroad opened north of here. The trail traffic slowed considerably, but the station
remained a gathering point for local residents. Used as a community center since the 1840s, the building today stands on private land about two miles from here - one of the few original Overland Trail stations still intact. 
This plaque is set here
in memory of those people
from Concord Township who
served in the armed forces of
the United States of America
erected by
Concord Township Trustees
On this site was located the
town pump which was the main
source of water for the village
during the early 1900’s and used
by residents until 1973.
In memory of all Veterans of the
Ostrander area who honorably
served or paid the
supreme sacrifice in
defense of this country.
Dedicated May 29, 1995
donated by Ostrander Senior Citizens
(six logos)
Farming community established after the Civil
A prominent and distinguished Baltimore African-American attorney, real estate broker, and politician. He was educated in Baltimore City public schools and graduated from Howard University Law School.
A man-made dam has been continuously harnessing the Musconetcong River at this location for over 250 years, influencing the settlement of the region and providing visitors and residents of Finesville with a connection to its historical origins as an industrial village powered by the teeming water of the river.
The convention of delegates from 175 New Hampshire towns took place on June 21, 1788, in the Old North Meeting House which stood on this site from 1751 until destroyed by fire in 1870. The delegates approved the proposed Federal Constitution by majority vote. New Hampshire, the ninth state to ratify this historic document, thereby assured its adoption.
Dedicated
At first glance, the Ames Monument may seem out of place on this high, wind-swept setting. If you step back and view the Monument from a distance, you will notice its design and shape mimic the surrounding features of the mountain landscape. The Union Pacific spared no expense in constructing the Ames Monument, contracting the most renowned architect, builder, and sculptor of the time. 
Construction of the Transcontinental Railroad across the United States was one of the most significant historic events of the 1800s. Built almost exclusively with manual labor and hand tools, the cross-county railroad took only four years to construct. Large numbers of workers were needed to survey and grade the bed, and lay down the ties and rails. Union Pacific chief engineer, General Grenville Dodge, made use of a geological feature called the Gangplank, located 15 miles to the east, as an easy grade to route the railroad across the Laramie Mountains. 
Commissioned by the Union Pacific Railroad, the Ames Monument is a memorial to the Ames brothers, Oakes and Oliver, for their contributions to the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. Their strong support, drive and influence were instrumental in completing the Union Pacific section of the railroad. Finished in 1882, the Monument is located near the highest elevation (8,247 feet) of the Transcontinental Railroad route. 
1867 to about 1880 
