St. Margaret’s Catholic Church | Riverton

Information

Landmark: St. Margaret’s Catholic Church
City: Riverton
Country: USA Wyoming
Continent: North America

St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, Riverton, USA Wyoming, North America

The Johnny Spaulding Cabin is a historic log structure located in Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

This cabin served as a dwelling for early settlers in the region.

Visual Characteristics

The cabin is constructed from rough-hewn logs, chinked with mud and straw. It features a single room with a steeply pitched gable roof covered in wooden shingles. The exterior logs are weathered to a gray-brown hue. A stone chimney is integrated into one end of the structure. The dimensions are approximately 12 feet by 16 feet.

Location & Access Logistics

The Johnny Spaulding Cabin is situated approximately 3 miles west of Belle Fourche, South Dakota, off State Highway 210. Access is via a gravel road, approximately 0.5 miles in length, leading from the highway. Parking is available on a small, unpaved area adjacent to the cabin. No public transport services reach this specific location.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The cabin was constructed around 1880 by Johnny Spaulding, an early homesteader in the Belle Fourche area. Its original purpose was as a primary residence and shelter for Spaulding during his settlement efforts in the Dakota Territory.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can observe the construction techniques of early pioneer cabins. The site offers opportunities for historical photography. Interpretive signage provides context on the life of Johnny Spaulding and the settlement of the Belle Fourche region.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There are no restroom facilities or designated shade structures at the cabin site. Cell phone reception is intermittent. No food vendors are present at the immediate location.

Best Time to Visit

For optimal lighting conditions for photography, early morning or late afternoon is recommended. The months of May through October offer the most favorable weather for visiting, with less risk of snow or extreme cold.

Facts & Legends

Johnny Spaulding was known for his solitary lifestyle and his skills as a trapper and hunter. Local accounts suggest he often traded furs with Native American tribes in the area, fostering a period of relatively peaceful coexistence.