Glenrock, Wyoming

Glenrock, Wyoming
Town
Motto:  "Big Enough to Enjoy - Small Enough to Care"
Country	United States
State	Wyoming
County	Converse
Area
• 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)
• Total	2,576
• Estimate  (2012)	2,583
• Density	1,129.8/sq mi (436.2/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	82637
Area code	307
FIPS code	56-32435
GNIS feature ID	1609095
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.

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. 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 first recorded coal mined in the Wyoming territory.

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 line. Ten years later in 1860, it would become a "home station for the pony express." 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. It was never rebuilt as traffic on the old trails dwindled and it became part of the past.

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.

Main article: Glenrock train wreck

Geography

Glenrock is located at 42°51′29″N 105°51′58″W (42.858145, -105.866170).

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.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	1,003		—
1930	810		−19.2%
1940	1,014		25.2%
1950	1,110		9.5%
1960	1,584		42.7%
1970	1,515		−4.4%
1980	2,736		80.6%
1990	2,153		−21.3%
2000	2,231		3.6%
2010	2,576		15.5%
2015 (est.)	2,598		0.9%

2010 census

As of the census 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 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).

Attractions & tourism

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.

Other attractions include:

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

Major highways

• I-25 - north–south Interstate running from New Mexico to Wyoming; runs concurrent with US 87 through Glenrock.
• I-25 BL - Alternate I-25 Business Route running through the business district of town.
• US 26 (Old Glenrock Hwy) - runs east–west through center of Glenrock.
• US 87 - runs east–west through area, concurrent with I-25.
• WYO 95 - runs north out of Glenrock to Rolling Hills.

Notable people

• Jim Anderson - former member of the Wyoming Senate (2001-2015); former member of the Wyoming House of Representatives (1997-2000), lives in Glenrock.
• Steve Cielinski - longtime 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, owned and operated a ranch outside Glenrock. Duncan immigrated to Wyoming from Scotland, and along with his father, Ninian Duncan, introduced Black Angus cattle to Wyoming. He served as Chairman of the Converse County Commissioners for many years, and was active in civic affairs. Following his death, the ranch was acquired by his son, Hugh MacKay Duncan, a prominent Wyoming lawyer. He sold the Duncan Ranch to the State of Wyoming in 2006, and it is in process of conversion to a mixed-use agricultural, educational, and 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.
• Michael Hedges: PhD of Physics from the University of Hawaii. Worked at CERN as an analyist. Proficient Guitar player. Bassist for the band known as The Blakeley's.

External links

• Glenrock Chamber of Commerce
• Converse County School District #2
• Glenrock Independent newspaper