Johnny Behind the Rocks is a popular recreation area south and east of Lander along the Rawlins highway. It consists of miles of trails along the rock formations and through the sagebrush and is managed by the BLM. It is a popular area for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Twin Creek has a small waterfall along one of the trails that is a nice destination for hikers and bikers. A common question often asked is,” How did Johnny Behind the Rocks get its name?”
After years of research by many museum staff it is unclear where the name came from. There are various stories, ranging a sheepherder named Johnny who lived out there, to an outhouse behind the rocks.
Mary Hancock, who wrote the book, Sheep Trails and History’s Tales gives this account. This is transcribed as she wrote it.
“There were several road houses along Twin Creek. About two and a half miles up the creek from Derby was a road house known as Johnny Behind the Rocks. It was run by a man named Oliver Stimson or Blacky as was more well known. Blacky had worked for John Auer Sr. for a time on Beaver Creek, before taking up a homestead of his own about 9 miles north west of the Auer place near the banks of Twin Creek. Blacky built his house against the base of one end of a rock bluff that from there continues up the steep hill and towered above the little valley. There, next to his house was a fine spring that bubbled out from the rocks in a little alcove in the bluff. The water seeps from the base of the rocks and the area in front of the bluff is quite boggy. The whole area was nicely sheltered and made a handsome sight. The Rawlins road ran right past the homestead and therefore made it the perfect place for a road house. Selling meals and a place for travelers and livestock to rest for the night before continuing on with their long journeys. It always seemed odd, that a place run by a man named Blacky would end up with a name of Johnny Behind the Rocks. The “Behind the Rocks” part was a well enough description, but “Johnny”? The only explanation I was ever told was that “Johnny“, came from the fact the Blacky had chosen to put his outhouse or “John” as they were often referred to in those days, in the back of his house, behind the end of the rock bluff. Therefore, anyone needing to use the facilities were told, “The Johnny is behind the rocks.” I do remember that even after the house was gone there was an old outhouse behind the rocks. So, maybe?”
Mary Hancock continues, “When I attended the Derby school I can remember Mrs. Carr taking us kids over to the Johnny Behind the Rocks sight in her car. At the time no one had lived there for years, but the house and the stuff were still standing. The house was maybe 10’x20’ and was built into the side of the bluff. We had a lot of fun playing there and exploring the rocks. Nowadays, the house is gone and all that remains as evidence of the homestead is a few fence posts, scattered boards, broken glass, and an old cellar that is caving in and the name everyone still knows it by, Johnny Behind the Rocks.
Next up for the Fremont County Museum
June 23, 10am with the Dubois Museum, “Shoshone Peoples and Their Traditional Foods” Wyoming Community Bank Discovery Speakers Series
June 23, 10am with the Pioneer Museum, “Rocky Ridge & the Oregon Trail” Wind River Visitor’s Council Adventure Trek Series
June 23, 7pm at the Dubois Museum, “Music at the Museum”
June 25, 7pm at the Pioneer Museum, “Eagle Spirit Dancers” Fremont County Pioneer Association
June 28, 10am with the Pioneer Museum, “Geology of Beaver Rim” Wind River Visitor’s Council Adventure Trek Series
June 28, 2pm at the Riverton Museum, “STEM Day” Bailey Tire/Pit Stop Children’s Exploration Series
June 28, 10am with the Dubois Museum, “Historic Ramshorn Ranch Trek” Wind River Visitor’s Council Adventure Trek Series
June 29, 2pm at the Dubois Museum, “The Oldest Dinosaur in North America” Wyoming Community Bank Discovery Speakers Series
Oct 4, TBA at the Lander Community Center, “Rare Relics Roadshow” Wind River Cultural Centers Foundation
Call the Dubois Museum 1-307-455-2284, the Pioneer Museum 1-307-332-3339 or the Riverton Museum 1-307-856-2665 for detail regarding their programs.
The Dubois Museum, the Pioneer Museum in Lander and the Riverton Museum need your financial support. In the current economic environment, the museums are more reliant than ever on donations from the private sector to continue to provide the quality programs, collections management, exhibits and services that have become their hallmark over the last four years. Please make your tax deductible contribution through the Wind River Cultural Centers Foundation www.windriverccf.com or by sending a check to Fremont County Museums 450 N 2nd Rm 320 or taking it directly to the museum you choose to support.
