Mule Creek Junction, Wyoming
Mule Creek Junction is a former community in
Direction | via | Destination | Distance from Mule Creek Junction |
---|---|---|---|
North | US 85 | Newcastle, Wyoming | 33 miles (53 km) |
East | US 18 | Edgemont, South Dakota | 22 miles (35 km) |
South | US 18/US 85 | Lusk, Wyoming | 46 miles (74 km) |
Geography
The Junction is located on the southwest corner of the Black Hills proper.
A Wyoming Department of Transportation rest area, reconstructed in 2007–08, is located on the northeast corner of the Junction.[3] The southeast corner of the site has been occupied by various service stations and truck stops, the last of which was demolished (after suffering a fire - see below) in the late 1990s.[4] The junction is located a short distance south of the Cheyenne River, and is in a typical Wyoming High Plains setting. Several historical and scenic markers at the rest area describe the setting.
History
The routes have been in use since the discovery of gold in the Northern Black Hills (at Deadwood) in 1875. The original
In 1964, Mule Creek Junction had a population of about 30.[5] A solar-powered rest stop was constructed here in 1985. Because there was no local source of potable water, 5,000 gallons were trucked to Mule Creek Junction twice a month.[6] In 1999, a fire destroyed the convenience store, gas station, restaurant and bar in Mule Creek Junction, as well as a house. Several customers were in the store at the time but were easily able to exit the building.[7]
References
- ^ "Wyoming @ AARoads - U.S. Highway 85". www.aaroads.com. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
- ^ "Wyoming @ AARoads - U.S. Highway 18". www.aaroads.com. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
- ^ "Mule Creek Junction: A Tale of Toilet Technology". Plumbing and Mechanical Engineer. May 5, 2005. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
- ^ Hasselstrom, Linda (May 10, 1999). "When you're alone on the open road". High Country News. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
- ^ "Deadwood Stage Nears Mule Creek Junction". Casper Star-Tribune. May 20, 1964. p. 2. Retrieved October 1, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Newsom, Jim (July 31, 1985). "Mule Creek Junction solar rest stop is no mistake, highway officials say". Casper Star-Tribune. p. 20. Retrieved October 1, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mule Creek Junction burns". Casper Star-Tribune. March 13, 1999. p. 11. Retrieved October 1, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- Archives, Wyoming Department of Transportation
- Registrar of Deeds, Niobrara County (Lusk, Wyoming)