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Independence Rock - Wyoming
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This site is located in south-central Wyoming on the Oregon Trail
Independence Rock is one of the most famous landmarks on the Oregon Trail. Emigrants wanted to reach the rock by the Fourth of July to ensure passage over the western mountain ranges before winter snows.
Many theories vary about naming the rock but most versions originate with events that happened on the Fourth of July.
William Sublette, an early mountain guide, is credited with christening it in honor of our nation's birth date on July 4, 1830. One version was based on the Rock standing independent from the other rock formations on the plains.