Hoofprints of the Past Museum - Kaycee, Wyoming

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Hoofprints of the Past Museum – Kaycee, Wyoming. Located just off highway 25 and South of Buffalo, Wyoming is the Hoofprints of the Past Museum in the town of Kaycee. Open every day of the week, Monday through Saturday from 9am to 7pm and Sunday’s from 1pm to 5pm, you can come and learn about the history of Johnson County. Admission into the museum is always free but donations are gladly accepted.

This museum houses artifacts and insight into some of the most famous events of the Wild West and Wyoming. Possibly the most famous of the events that happened in this part of the country is that of the Hole in the Wall hideout. This hide out was used by outlaws such as the well known Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Hole in the Wall was a series of very narrow passage ways in and out of the mountains. The outlaws would hide out there to escape the sheriffs and outrun the law. Because the only way in and out of the hole in the wall was through these passageways, no one could come near it without the criminals’ knowledge. It is unknown why but eventually the outlaws stopped using the hide out and faded away leaving behind many artifacts and cabins they used.

Another very famous event that happened here was at the Dull Knife Battlefield. Dull Knife was a war chief from the Cheyenne tribe who had just recently defeated General Custer at Little Big Horn. After winning the battle there, the different tribes split up and went their own way. Chief Dull Knife led his people South where he had planned to camp for the winter. To his surprise, he was met there by General MacKenzie who was sent north to find the Cheyenne tribe and force them to surrender. After a very rough battle through a harsh winter, Chief Dull Knife surrendered and is said to have never fought again.

Along with artifacts and information on these famous events, the museum also includes a look into historic Johnson County with the original post office, school house, town jail, and the old library. This isn’t just a museum with history of Johnson County but rather history of the United States itself. Hoofprints of the Past Museum, Kaycee, Wyoming is definitely worth the trip and is great for the whole family to enjoy and learn about the very interesting history surrounding the Wild West.
 

344 Nolan Ave
Kaycee, Wyoming  82639
307-738-2381