Oh, if this rock could talk, the stories it would tell. This rock is probably one of the most heartwarming and heart-wrenching historical records still in existence today. It is a memorial to those who were bold and brave enough to attempt a journey that would change their lives and the course of the nation. It is definitely a site in Wyoming that changed the course of history.

Flickr/Brett Whaley
Register Cliff is a sandstone cliff located above the North Platte River Valley south of Guernsey. It's one of the most prominent and touching places along the Oregon Trail. It is an area rich in Wyoming history.
Flickr/Erin Kinney
Register Cliff was the first campsite west of Fort Laramie. The emigrants stopped here to set up camp, put their animals out to pasture, and rest from the hardships of traveling the rough and uncertain trail.
Wikipedia/NPS
This rock literally served as a register for hundreds of emigrants traveling along the Oregon Trail during their western migrations of the 19th century. Many emigrants chiseled their names on the soft stones of the cliff.
TripAdvisor/938fjg
The inscriptions date all the way back to the fur traders and trappers who traveled the area in the early 1800s. The peak years of travel along the trail was during the 1840s and 1850s.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Register Cliff was a key checkpoint for travelers heading west along the trail. This landmark in Wyoming was proof that travelers were on the right path to South Pass and not heading into the impassable mountain terrain.

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TripAdvisor/DeAnnaKirk
The inscriptions served several purposes. One was a declaration letting everyone know that they had traveled along this trail. The signatures were also a signal to family and friends who were further behind that they had in fact made it this far and when they arrived in the area.
TripAdvisor/Nathan T
One of the most poignant signatures is that of A. H. Unthank. He was 19 years old and headed to California in 1850 to strike it rich. Unfortunately, he never made it. He died of cholera a week after reaching Register Cliff. He is buried in a marked grave outside of Glenrock, Wyoming.
TripAdvisor/Statia
A small trading post was west of the cliffs and provided supplies to the emigrants. Later, a pony express station was also based here.
TripAdvisor/Jonas B
Ranchers and homesteaders moved into the area in the 1870s and 1880s. One of these was Charles Guernsey for whom the town is named after. Guernsey's ranch was at the base of Register Cliff.
TripAdvisor/Jonas B
Eventually, the Frederick family moved into the area. They blasted an opening into the side of the cliff and used the area for storing potatoes and other vegetables. The cave kept the vegetables cool in the summer and prevented them from freezing in the winter.

Henry Frederick gifted Register Cliff to the State of Wyoming in 1932. The site is open to the public thanks to the generosity and foresight of the Frederick family.

Register Cliff truly is a site in Wyoming that changed the course of history.

For another tangible mark of history, check out History Left A Definite Mark At This One Fascinating Spot In Wyoming.

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Site in Wyoming that changed the course of history

Courtnie Erickson | June 12, 2021

Wyoming history that you should know about

The Cowboy State is not only a gorgeous place to live, but it has a captivating story to tell. Wyoming history is fascinating and filled with pages of cool facts and trivia. For example, did you know that Wyoming is home to the first national park in the United States? Also, women in the Cowboy State were the first in the country to obtain the right to vote.

If you are looking for more interesting Wyoming history, check out our article featuring some of the things that Wyoming was the first to do. Also, don’t miss this article filled with 12 photos of Wyoming from the early 1900s. It is pretty incredible!

What are some interesting landmarks in Wyoming?

As you cross the Cowboy State, you can visit many landmarks from the Oregon Trail. From the late 1830s to the 1890s, thousands of travelers trekked across Wyoming on their way to various locations such as Oregon, California, and Utah. Today, you can visit some of these historic landmarks in Wyoming such as Fort Laramie and The Parting of the Ways. Ayres Natural Bridge, a remarkable natural bridge, was also one of the first roadside attractions in Wyoming.

To learn about more historic landmarks in Wyoming, check out our article.

What are some unique attractions in Wyoming?

While there are dozens of popular tourist attractions around the Cowboy State, there are also some that Wyoming residents and out-of-state guests may call bizarre and a little weird. For example, the famous Antler Arch in Jackson and Afton is worth a visit to see. The World’s Largest Jackalope in Douglass will also require a second look. Here are 12 of the weirdest attractions in Wyoming that you definitely need to check out.

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