Open Spaces Sustained by Agriculture -- I-25 Exit 7/US 18 Rest Area nr Orin WY
N 42° 39.354 W 105° 12.016
13T E 483585 N 4722623
The second of two historic markers at this rest area on the Southbound I-25 at the US 18 near Orin WY.
Waymark Code: WMK2RY
Location: Wyoming, United States
Date Posted: 02/04/2014
Views: 5
The I-25 rest area at the Junction of the US 18 near Orin WY has very nice restroom facilities, two historic markers, and a cache.
When Blasterz were there, we saw a Little Brown Myotis bat snoozing in the corner of the restroom plaza building. These beneficial bats are insectivores and are no danger to humans.
This 2nd historic marker reads as follows:
"OPEN SPACES SUSTAINED BY AGRICULTURE
Welcome to Platte County Wyoming, Laramie Peak frames the western backdrop of a landscape that includes the Oregon Trail and Register Cliff, where thousands of Pioneers left their mark, Today these open spaces are sustained by agricultural production of livestock and crops, providing habitat for diverse wildlife and a foundation for the communities that exist in the county.
Settlement of this land began in the early 1880s with the Swan Land and cattle Company. This ranch held more acreage than the state of Connecticut. Agriculture paved the way for construction of area reservoirs providing water storage for irrigation wildlife habitat, fisheries and recreation. South of this point lies the Wheatland Irrigation District which delivers irrigation water to 55,000 acres of formerly dry unproductive landscape, making it the largest ad only privately-held irrigation district in the United States. Many crops, including corn, sugar beets, wheat and barley are raised on the land.
Even with Platte County’s relatively small population, agricultural producers raise food for thousands of Americans. Cattle raised in Platte County provide a year’s supply of beef for 850,000 people. Agriculture serves as the backbone of the area’s rural communities and sustains the open vistas you are enjoying today."
Marker Name: Open Spaces Sustained by Agriculture
Marker Type: Rural Roadside
Addtional Information:
I-25 Exit 7 rest area
Group Responsible for Placement: State of Wyoming
Date Dedicated: Not listed
Marker Number: Not listed
Web link(s) for additional information: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please post a photo of you OR your GPS at the marker location. Also if you know of any additional links not already mentioned about this bit of Wyoming history please include that in your log.