Probably discovered by returning Astorians, 1812. Given its name by emigrants who celebrated Independence Day here July 4, 1825. Capt. Bonneville passed here with first wagons 1832. Whitman and Spalding, missionaries with their wives stopped here 1836. Father DeSmet saw it and owing to many names upon it called it "Register of the Desert" 1840. Gen. John C. Fremont camped here with U.S. Army Aug. 2, 1842. It is the most famous landmark on the
Old Oregon Trail.
(inscribed below the marker)
This tablet presented and placed by Henry D. Schoonmaker, 1920
(This marker mounted at the north end of Independence Rock as is surrounded by memorial plaques honoring pioneers who traveled the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer Trails. They are present below; top to bottom and left to right:)
Ezra Meeker
Pioneer
1830 - 1928
To
Narcissa Prentiss Whitman
and
Eliza Hart Spalding,
Missionaries.
First white woman in Wyoming
and
first woman over Oregon Trail
1836
Placed July 4, 1936, by
The Historical Landmark Commission of Wyoming .
The first Lodge of Masons in what is now the State of Wyoming
was convened on Independence Rock July 4, 1862, by a body of Master Masons who were traveling west on the Old Oregon Trail. To commemorate this event Casper Lodge No. 15 A.F. and A.M. of Casper, Wyoming, held memorial services here on July 4, 1920.
(inscribed below)
C.H. Townsend · M.P Wheeler · H. Banner · A.C. Mokler · B.B. Brooks · W.C. Wilson · ?.A. Reed · E.L. Hambright · C. Anda)
In memory of
Father P. J. DeSmet S.J.
1840 who named this rock
"The Register of the Desert."
Dedicated July 4, 1930
by Wyoming Knights of Columbus.
In honor of
The "Mormon" Pioneers
who passed Independence Rock
June 21, 1847
Under the leadership of
Brigham Young
on their way to the Valley of the
Great Salt Lake
and of more than 80,000 'Mormon' emigrants who followed by ox teams, hand carts and other means of travel, seeking religious liberty and economic independence. Erected June 21, 1931, by descendants and followers of the pioneers who have made the desert bloom as the rose.
In memory of Jason Lee
the Trail Blazer of Methodism
in the Northwest.
1834-1844
In Memory of
Dr. Grace Raymond
Hebard
1861 - 1956
Wyoming Historian - Author - Educator
Erected by Colonial Dames resident
in the State of Wyoming
In Memory of
Anderson Deckard
and Party
Who camped here
July 4, 1853
Settled near Albany, Oregon
Erected by his descendants
1954
Comments 0 comments