On this #TBT, we highlight the historic Rock Creek to Montana stage line. The information comes from a sign created by the Sheridan County Historic Preservation Commission and placed near the intersection of Keystone Road and Soldier Creek Road.
Beginning in July 1878, the U.S. Postal Service awarded contracts to stage lines to operate mail and passenger service on star route 37110 between Rock Creek, on the Union Pacific Railroad in southeastern Wyoming, and Northern Pacific Railroad connections in southeastern Montana.
The road used for route 37110 was the Bozeman Trail from Sheridan to the Wyoming-Montana line. The stage road came up from Soldier Creek valley to this spot, then continued northwest across the hills to the post office at Bingham on the Tongue River.
After the first two contractors failed, M.T. Patrick and A.H. Brown were awarded the contract for postal star route 37110 in April of 1879. Over the next three years, service varied from three to seven trips per week to a frequently changing Montana terminus. During this time the contract amount rose steadily to a peak rate of $100,165.83, the highest star service contract in the West.
A new contract was assigned in July 1892 and the route number was changed. All subsequent contracts were let to the lowest bidder and ranged from $15,000 to $30,000. Postal star service continued between the Union Pacific and Northern Pacific railroads until 1886. After that, as railroads were built across Wyoming, the stage lines contracted into shorter, more numerous routes.
PHOTO: Barry Swackhamer, 2015
