Hoofprints of the Past Museum was founded in 1989 by a group of Kaycee volunteers in order to preserve the unique local cultural heritage of Kaycee and the surrounding countryside. That heritage includes Native Americans, the Bozeman Trail, Trappers, Traders, and Pioneers, Fort Reno, German Missionaries settlement, and the Portuguese Houses site, conflicts with natives such as the Dull Knife Battle, the Cattle Boom, Cattle Barons and Frewen Castle, the Johnson County War, the Outlaw Era, the Hole in the Wall Gang, Butch Cassidy, Sundance Kid, Kid Curry, and other local outlaws.
Museum Tours
One of the first items on your To-Do List for Kaycee is most likely participating in one of the popular tours the Hoofprints of the Past Museum sponsors. Please complete and submit the form from the link and the museum will send you information as soon as tours dates are scheduled (February for the Hole in the Wall and July for the Johnson County War Tour). If you have questions in advance, please e-mail or call the museum. To receive information on the tour of your choice, please fill out the form on the page here for tour information.
You can find more information on the tours by clicking the names….Johnson County War Tour or the Hole in the Wall Tour – or Both!
Hoofprints of the Past Museum – For more information about hours and exhibits please visit the museums Page.
PO Box 114
344 Nolan Ave.
Kaycee, WY 82639.
307–738-2381
Keri Malson 307-738-2381 info@hoofprintsofthepast.org
Museum Collections
The Hoofprints of the Past Museum has an impressive array of local historical artifacts. The museum has a large collection of locally found stone points and other related items.
The Portuguese Houses
In 1834 a band of trappers and traders led by Antonio Montero from Portugal built a trading post East of Kaycee. It became known as the “Portuguese Fort.” A unique site, what little remains from the area have been donated to the museum and includes everything from a sword, beads, and clay pipes.
The Bozeman Trail
The Bozeman Trail ran within four miles of Kaycee, overlaying previous Indian, trader and exploration routes and connecting the Oregon Trail to the gold rush territory in Montana. Its most important period was 1863-1868, and its most significant consequence was the Indian Wars of the Northern Plains. The museum has a number of items related to this period.
Fort Reno
A large number of items donated from the Fort Reno site itself are on display, as well as a diorama of the fort created by Robert Wilson, an expert in local military forts.
The Dull Knife Battle Artifacts donated from the battle site are part of a display on this final defeat of the local Cheyenne on Red Fork in 1876.
Cattle Barons and Cowboys
The story of the cattle boom and bust, and the events that set the stage for the Johnson County war are display.
The Johnson County War
Artifacts from the Johnson County War, including the local KC Fight and Nate Champion related items are on display.
Hole in the Wall Gang and Outlaws A number of historic guns and outlaw related items are on display.
Local Historical Structures
- The first Kaycee school building (1890)
- The Kaycee Jail (1890)
- The Post Office and Store from the Mayoworth community West of Kaycee
- A homestead cabin built with logs from the Frewen Castle
Homesteaders and Kaycee Displays
- Blacksmith Shop
- Tack Room
- Music Room, Kitchen, Clothing, and Housewares
A large variety of wagons and farm equipment including a sheepwagon and 100 year plus old local chuckwagon are also on display.