HELL GAP – It’s taken several thousand years, but the historical value of one of the most outstanding cultural sites in North America is finally being recognized. In a public gathering at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 22, the Hell Gap National Historic Landmark will be officially recognized.
According to archaeological research, which has been on-going at the site northeast of Guernsey for several decades, early residents of this area frequented the small valley between 8,000-12,000 years ago. Artifacts recovered include tools, as well as animal bone and spear point fragments.
Dr. Marcel Kornfeld, director of the Hell Gap excavation for several years, said there are 26,000 National Historic Landmarks in the United States. The majority are on the East and West coasts, and consist of ships, homes of famous people, other historic structures, etc.
“Only about 15 are Paleoindian sites. That figures to about one site in about three states, and some don’t have any,” Kornfeld said. “With Hell Gap, Wyoming has four – the Horner site, Medicine Wheel Mountain, and Obsidian Cliff (Yellowstone).”
Some of those involved in getting official recognition during the past five years, wondered if it would ever happen. Judy Wolf, Chief Planning and Historic context Development Program at the State Historic Preservation Office, in Cheyenne, gets credit for taking on the project and seeing it through.
A graduate of the University of Wyoming Anthropology program, Wolf had considered the designation for several years, but nothing seemed to happen. Professional archaeologists and others were busy with their own projects with little or no time for Hell Gap research.
Finally, Wolf asked Nick Freeland, a UW graduate student, if he would take on the challenge. He did, and is credited with being the principal author of the proposal. Even then it was a long process, with each step having to get approval from a board.
Finally, after five years of drafts and reviews, Kornfeld presented the nomination to the North American review board, which gave its approval.
Wolf said the accomplishment is very unusual because very few archaeological sites are on the National Register of Historic Places, let alone Historic Landmarks. The national landmark board must approve the archaeological sites.
“Hell Gap is one of the most important Paleoindian sites in the nation,” Wolf said. “We’re very excited about this.”
Harold F. Johnson Masonry of Cheyenne erected the monument on the site the week of July 10. The Hell Gap monument features two bronze plaques. One identifies the site, and the other lists the people who donated to the project land and financial.
Johnson Masonry also performed the restoration work on the Ames Monument on I-80 west of Cheyenne. The Ames Monument was named a National Historic Landmark in November 2016 and dedicated with its new designation during ceremonies July 8 of this year.
In addition to a National Cultural Trust Fund Grant, Wyoming entities contributing to the Hell Gap project were the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists, the Wyoming Archaeological Society – June Frison Chapter, and the Wyoming State Historical Society.
“It was stiff competition,” said Mary Lou Larson, co-director of the Hell Gap project. “It is really good for us – the site and Wyoming.”
Kornfeld, who has worked at the site for decades, believes Hell Gap is only the beginning of what could be developed as an educational and financial bonus for this region.
Other nearby sites include the Spanish Diggings, Powars II, and Patton Creek, as well as modern operations.
“This became a story of what this place is about,” Wolf said. “It’s an entire view of history in this area from paleo to ranching and mining.”
Visitors to the July 22 dedication/open house will have an opportunity to learn more about the ancient history of eastern Wyoming. Hell Gap is about 12 miles northeast of Guernsey. Go north on Wyoming Highway 270, 2 miles to Whalen Canyon Road, a gravel road that goes to the east. Follow it about 8 miles to the entrance that will be marked.
Tours of the site and demonstrations of atlatl throwing and other aspects of early life on the plains will be available following the ribbon cutting and comments from local officials.
