Historic Routes

Museum of the Cherokee Indian is a Certified Site for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. The museum is dedicated to sharing the history and culture of the Cherokee people.

Fort Laramie once stood sentinel over the Oregon, California, and Mormon emigration trails; was a stop on the Pony Express route; and served as a staging ground for both peaceful and hostile dealings with Plains Indians. Its association with important figures, including Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, and historic events makes Fort Laramie an icon of the American West.

Following a day's journey from Fort Laramie, emigrants spent the night at Register Cliff , which rises one hundred feet above the North Platte River valley. The soft, chalky limestone rock made it easy for emigrants to inscribe their names into the cliff before continuing on their journey. The earliest signatures date to the late 1820s when trappers and fur traders passed through the area.

Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site , also called the Guernsey Ruts, is located where the geography of the area forced the Oregon Trail to change course. At this point, the Trail was blocked from continuing along the North Platte River by a steep ridge of sandstone rock. It had to go up and over the ridge in order to continue heading west.

Guernsey, Wyoming, is situated along the North Platte River and the “Great Platte River Road”, a significant historic route followed by travelers on the Oregon, California, Pony Express, and Mormon Pioneer national historic trails. The small town is located along US 26, about 100 miles north of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and 66 miles west of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Learn more about this area's rich history!

Take a short hike in Capitol Gorge to see the historic Pioneer Register where early explorers and pioneers carved their names into the cliff wall. It is illegal to deface, vandalize, or add your own name to the Register.

This second level room can be accessed from the first-floor dining room or the plaza promenade on the second floor. The room was used by Bent, St. Vrain, & Company partner Ceran St. Vrain when he was present or otherwise used as a temporary guest quarters.