Glenrock, Wyoming

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Glenrock, Wyoming
Town
Motto: "Big Enough to Enjoy - Small Enough to Care"
Location of Glenrock, Wyoming
Coordinates: 42°51′29″N 105°51′58″W / 42.85806°N 105.86611°W / 42.85806; -105.86611Coordinates: 42°51′29″N 105°51′58″W / 42.85806°N 105.86611°W / 42.85806; -105.86611
Country United States
State Wyoming
County Converse
Area[1]
  Total 2.28 sq mi (5.91 km2)
  Land 2.28 sq mi (5.91 km2)
  Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation 5,020 ft (1,530 m)
Population (2010)[2]
  Total 2,576
  Estimate (2012[3]) 2,583
  Density 1,129.8/sq mi (436.2/km2)
Time zone Mountain (MST) (UTC-7)
  Summer (DST) MDT (UTC-6)
ZIP code 82637
Area code(s) 307
FIPS code 56-32435[4]
GNIS feature ID 1609095[5]
Website Town of Glenrock Wyoming
Dave Johnson power plant, a large coal-fired generating station at Glenrock, is owned by PacifiCorp

Glenrock is a town in Converse County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 2,576 at the 2010 census.

History

Glenrock, known as Deer Creek Station, had its beginning as a mail and stage station along the Oregon Trail. The station served as a relay and eating place and was a vital supply point for thousands of emigrants as they traveled westward. The discovery of oil in 1889 greatly contributed to the economy of central Wyoming and especially Glenrock.

Outdoor recreation opportunities are plentiful in the area surrounding Glenrock as the Laramie Mountains, Medicine Bow National Forest and the Platte River are nearby.

The Deer Creek Days Festival, Jamborees, and outdoor activities attract visitors to the town.

Historical Sites

Rock in the Glen

  • This landmark has been viewed by an estimated 350,000 immigrants that have migrated westward since the mid-1800s. In 1812, it was first discovered by American fur trappers during a creation of a fur trapping route.[6] This trappers trail has known many names depending upon the group traveling upon it. These names include the Oregon, California, and Mormon trails.

Mormon Mines

  • On June 10, 1847, the first group of Mormons reached Deer Creek in the Glenrock region. A mere ten days later, a coal mine produced the recorded coal mined in the Wyoming territory.[6]

Deer Creek Station

  • Originally, Deer Creek Station stood as a pioneer and Indian trading post in the 1850s and as a relay terminal for the overland stage system. Ten years later in 1860, it would become a “home station for the pony express.”[6] In 1861, the station became incorporated into the telegraph system. On October 18, 1861, the telegrapher at Deer Creek Station helped to send along the first relayed message to Cleveland, Ohio from the West. As the telegraphy began to replace the pony express, the relationship between Indians and the U.S. Government worsened in the Glenrock region. Over the course of three years, from 1862-1866, Deer Creek Station stood as a military outpost. With few troops stationed in the fort, in 1866, Indians burned it down, this includes the telegraph station located in Deer Creek Station.[7] It was never rebuilt as traffic on the old trails dwindled and it became part of the past.

Geography

Glenrock is located at 42°51′29″N 105°51′58″W / 42.85806°N 105.86611°W / 42.85806; -105.86611 (42.858145, -105.866170)[8].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.28 square miles (5.91 km2), all of it land.[1]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
19201,003
1930810−19.2%
19401,01425.2%
19501,1109.5%
19601,58442.7%
19701,515−4.4%
19802,73680.6%
19902,153−21.3%
20002,2313.6%
20102,57615.5%
[9]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 2,576 people, 1,102 households, and 713 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,129.8 inhabitants per square mile (436.2 /km2). There were 1,201 housing units at an average density of 526.8 per square mile (203.4 /km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.0% White, 0.5% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.9% of the population.

There were 1,102 households of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.3% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age in the town was 41.3 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.7% were from 45 to 64; and 17.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 51.7% male and 48.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 2,231 people, 925 households, and 641 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,155.3 people per square mile (446.3/km²). There were 1,131 housing units at an average density of 585.7 per square mile (226.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.53% White, 0.31% African American, 1.61% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.03% from other races, and 2.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.81% of the population.

There were 925 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the town the population was spread out with 28.8% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,300, and the median income for a family was $40,927. Males had a median income of $32,778 versus $18,795 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,088. About 11.4% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.7% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public education in the town of Glenrock is provided by Converse County School District #2. The district has four campuses – Grant Elementary School (grades K-4), Glenrock Intermediate School (grades 5-6), Glenrock Middle School (grades 7-8), and Glenrock High School (grades 9-12).

Notable people

  • Jim Anderson - member of the Wyoming Senate (2000-incubent); former member of the Wyoming House of Representatives (1997-2000), lives in Glenrock.[10]
  • Steve Cielinski - long time Glenrock Mayor; was replaced in 2011, marking an end to nearly 22 years of community service.
  • Hugh Duncan - rancher and Converse County Commissioner for many years, lived on a ranch outside Glenrock. Duncan immigrated to Wyoming from Scotland, and along with his father, Ninian Duncan, introduced Black Angus cattle to Wyoming. Following his death, the 6500 acre Duncan Ranch passed to the State of Wyoming and is in process of conversion to a mixed-use recreation area.
  • Neva Egan - the first First Lady of Alaska; taught public school music in Glenrock.
  • John J. McIntyre - United States Representative from Wyoming; practiced law in Glenrock.

Glenrock train wreck

September 27, 1923 – near Glenrock, Wyoming, soon after the washout of Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad's bridge over Cole Creek, a passenger train fell through the washout, killing 30 of the train's 66 passengers. This marked the worst railroad accident in Wyoming's history.

Tourism

  • Deer Creek Days
  • Deer Creek Museum
  • Glenrock Golf Course
  • Paleon Museum
  • Art in the Park

[11]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-14. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-14. 
  3. "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-01. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Glenrock Historical Sites". Welcome to Glenrock, Wyoming. govoffice.com. Retrieved February 28, 2013. 
  7. "Trails & Rails of the West". Converse County Wyoming. Retrieved February 27, 2013. 
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  9. "Historical Decennial Census Population for Wyoming Counties, Cities, and Towns". Wyoming Department of State / U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2009-07-31. 
  10. Senate biography
  11. http://www.glenrock.org/

Converse County Chamber of Commerce.

External links

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