For this #TBT, we continue our journey down the Tongue River Water Trail, checking out SCLT’s recently installed signs which highlight historic events, themes, and figures nearby. After some slow meanders around the looping oxbows of Big Goose Creek, we find ourselves at the footbridge on West Works St.
Henry Held homesteaded this area in 1882. Henry was the only blacksmith between Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Miles City, Montana, and he was one of the founders of the City of Sheridan.
Henry had priority number nine water rights from Big Goose Creek to support his agricultural endeavors with the N.B. Held Ditch. This specific ditch became the Sheridan Town Ditch and was the first means to divert water from Big Goose Creek to use for domestic and fire purposes.
Construction of the ditch took place from May of 1883 to the spring of 1885. The ditch was two miles long and began on the south bank of Big Goose Creek near present-day Leopard Street and meandered east to the current location of the Sheridan County Courthouse.
In the beginning the town diverted this main ditch to other ditches that ran along the streets. After Henry finished the construction of the ditch on August 18, 1885, he sold 5/6 of it to the City of Sheridan. Within this sales agreement was the stipulation that the City of Sheridan would provide Henry with one foot of water for his personal use for 99 years.
The City of Sheridan finally owned the ditch and exclusive water rights in 1896. Through technological advancement of water works pipelines, reservoirs, and water treatment plants the City of Sheridan still utilizes Big Goose Creek as its main source of water.
We’ll see you next week as we dive beneath the surface and explore the depths of our local history along the Tongue River Water Trail.
Special thanks to the Sheridan County Fulmer Library, Wyoming Room and Tom Ringley, Local Historian
Photo: Henry Held portrait, Wyoming Room Collection, The Wyoming Room Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library
