This large granite outcropping was given the name Independence Rock on July 4, 1830 by William Sublette who led the first wagon train across the new overland route. The first Europeans to visit the rock were Robert Stuart's expedition in 1812. This rock marks the halfway point on the 2,000 mile trek from the Missouri River to the West Coast. There are over 3,000 names carved on this huge rock by mountain men, fur trappers, wagon train and handcart emigrants. One of the earliest signatures is that of "M.K. Hugh, 1824", other signatures date from the 1840's to the 1860's. Independence Rock is located forty-seven miles south of Casper, on Wyoming 220. Today there is a modern Wyoming rest stop for the weary traveller, back in 1830, only the huge rock provided shade on the long dusty trail West.

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