Bridge Livery and Feed Stable - 153 K Street

In 1908, this was the location of Hodge’s Bridge Livery and Feed Stable. The second floor overhang at the rear of the old Hodge home (157 K) is unusual.

A 1945 National Geographic Magazine described “winding K Street” where “you see French bakeries, Mexican chili parlors, Greek candy shops, Chinese laundries, and Jewish markets.” There were so many ethnic restaurants in Rock Spring that a 1920 newspaper article announcing the opening of the Langely Cafe said, “For the first time in many years, Rock Springs has an American Cafe.”

Cross K Street and walk on the left side of Pilot Butte Avenue.

No one expected Rock Springs to be permanent, so there wasn’t much effort at city planning. Buildings were haphazardly built Pilot Butte Avenue and K Street, and streets were later laid out around them. This twisting “S” shaped road was known as Crooked Street. An improvement project in 1937 made Pilot Butte Avenue “one of the handsomest thoroughfares in the state.” It was widened and straightened, buildings were moved back or demolished, and new fronts were built on almost all the stores.

Drunken cowboys once hung a man on a street pole at this intersection. Cowboys were known to ride into the saloons, order their drinks, and even play pool while still sitting on their horses. When the cowboys came into town on payday, they were so rowdy that local people dubbed them “that wild bunch from Brown’s Hole.” After a while, the Wild Bunch name was applied to the outlaw gang.

Okano’s Fish Market was located on this vacant lot. Fish were displayed in front of the store in barrels filled with ice. Cats were a constant nuisance. This was the earlier location of the Star Theater, the first in Rock Springs. Traveling stage shows were replaced with photographic slides shown by “a new-fangled Magic Lantern.” The Star brought the first “flickers” to Rock Springs.