Welcome to the Fossil Cabin in Rock River, Wyoming—a peculiar landmark that stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of early 20th-century America. Nestled along the historic Lincoln Highway, the first coast-to-coast highway in the United States, the Fossil Cabin is a relic from an age when road trips were pioneering adventures, and roadside attractions were essential pit stops for weary travelers.
The story of the Fossil Cabin begins in 1932, when Thomas Boylan, a local homesteader, decided to create a unique spectacle to lure travelers off the bustling highway. Boylan’s vision was to construct a building entirely out of dinosaur bones, which he had spent 17 years collecting from nearby Como Bluff, one of the world’s richest dinosaur fossil beds. This bold endeavor resulted in a one-of-a-kind structure composed of 5,796 fossilized dinosaur bones, giving it the moniker ‘The Oldest Building in the World.’
Como Bluff, located near the cabin, was the site of significant discoveries during the late 19th century, fueling what became known as the ‘Bone Wars’—a fierce rivalry between paleontologists Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope as they raced to uncover and name new dinosaur species. The fossils unearthed here were sent to prestigious institutions like Yale’s Peabody Museum, the Smithsonian, and the American Museum of Natural History, highlighting the area’s global importance in paleontology.
Despite its quirky charm, the Fossil Cabin was more than just a roadside oddity. It also served as a gas station and museum, complete with displays of fossils and Native American artifacts. However, with the completion of Interstate 80 in 1970, traffic on the Lincoln Highway dwindled, and the once bustling attraction fell into gradual obscurity. Yet, the Fossil Cabin remains an enduring symbol of the adventurous spirit of early motorists and the era of roadside Americana.
As you stand before this remarkable structure, imagine the travelers of yesteryear, drawn in by the promise of gas, a cold drink, and a close-up look at dinosaur history—all encapsulated in the bones that built this cabin. It’s a unique piece of Wyoming’s heritage, offering a tangible link to the ancient past and the vibrant history of the American road trip.
