Glenrock is a town in Converse County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 2,420 at the 2020 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 stopping point along the trail and was a vital supply point for thousands of emigrants as they traveled westward. A significant number of industries were established after 1889 and expanded the growth and economy of many communities like Glenrock in central Wyoming.

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. 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.

Geography

Glenrock is located at (42.858145, -105.866170).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

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 . There were 1,201 housing units at an average density of . 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 The district has three campuses – Grant Elementary School (grades PreK-3), Glenrock Intermediate School(grades 4-6), and Glenrock Junior/Senior High School (grades 7-12).

Glenrock has a public library, a branch of the Converse County Library

Attractions & tourism

thumb|Dave Johnston power plant, a large coal-fired generating station at Glenrock, is owned by [[PacifiCorp ]]

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
  • The Glenrock Potato Man
  • Art in the Park

Major highways

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

Notable people

  • Jim Anderson (born 1943), former member of the Wyoming Senate (2001–2015); former member of the Wyoming House of Representatives (1997–2000), lives in Glenrock
  • Neva Egan (1914–2011), the first First Lady of Alaska; taught public school music in Glenrock
  • John J. McIntyre (1904–1974), United States Representative from Wyoming; practiced law in Glenrock

See also

  • List of municipalities in Wyoming

References

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