Dinosaurs and Drilling Rigs - Lance Creek, WY

Lance Creek, Wyoming, has been home to many, many people throughout it's colorful history in the State of Wyoming. It is a dying oil-boom town smack-dab in the geographical center of the state, but on the east side, near the South Dakota border. At one point in it's history it was home to more than 1,500 families and two schools. Now there are fewer than ten families in the surrounding area and one elementary school that is attended by about six students.

The oil that once gushed from beneath the ground is almost gone now, so too, the major oil companies that were here during the boom. One or two minor oil companies are left trying every new device to flush the last bit of oil from below the surface. Once home to nomadic bands of Native Americans in early times, during the boom times, the major share of crude oil stocks needed during World War II came directly from Lance Creek Field. If ones looks closely on both sides of the two secondary state highways that traverse the area, there are foundations of homes and buildings that used to house oil field families and workers at a carbon black plant. There was a general store and a saddlemaker's shop, two gas stations, a post office, a dance hall, two bars and resturants in addition to the two schools and oil field service shops. Now all that is left is one dilapidated bar called The Pronghorn, a post office, and a gas station along with the minor oil company offices.

The town itself is nestled in a bowl-like depression along Lance Creek, a seasonal stream that meanders through the area. There is no cell-phone service down in the bowl, so it's sort of like taking a step back in time when one drops over the ridge. There are several big ranches in the area, and the cowboy way of life is very evident. In the spring and fall, you might come across a herd of cattle being trailed down the highway right-of ways by old and young on horseback.

Most of the residents who have been here very long are related in one way or another, but that doesn't make them like each other. But don't talk bad about anyone, at any rate. Although they fight like the Hatfields and McCoys, they will still band back together to fend off an outsider. They are not unfriendly, however. Having seen many neighbors come and go throughout the years has made them amenable to change and open and friendly to outsiders.

There are many fossils found in the region, with some of the world's most complete dinosaur bones being excavated here. The discovery of fossils goes right along with the discovery of fossil fuels in the region. A private museum is being assembled to help preserve Lance Creek's oil field and fossil record, but is not open to the public yet. There are no overnight accommodations at Lance Creek, but it is an easy drive to Lusk, the county seat, where there are some motels.