Trail End State Historic Site | Sheridan

The Trail End State Historic Site, located in Sheridan, Wyoming, is a preserved mansion and museum that showcases the opulent lifestyle of early 20th-century Wyoming elites. Built in 1913 for John B. Kendrick, a prominent cattle rancher and later U.S. Senator, the estate reflects the wealth, tastes, and ambitions of the region’s influential ranching families, providing insight into the social history and architecture of the period.

Architecture and Design

Trail End is a 22-room mansion designed in the Mediterranean Revival style, featuring Italian marble floors, ornate woodwork, handcrafted stained glass, and elaborate fixtures imported from Europe. The estate includes formal gardens, terraces, and a carriage house, all arranged to complement the home’s grand aesthetic. Its design blends frontier practicality with luxury, highlighting the intersection of Western heritage and cosmopolitan influence.

Exhibits and Collections

The historic site contains original furnishings, artwork, and personal belongings of the Kendrick family. Visitors can explore the mansion’s parlor, dining room, library, and bedrooms, all restored to reflect their early 20th-century appearance. Exhibits provide context about the Kendrick family, Wyoming’s ranching industry, and the broader social and economic conditions of the time.

Visitor Experience

Guided and self-guided tours allow visitors to move through the mansion and grounds, learning about architectural details, interior design, and the personal stories of its inhabitants. Informational panels and docent presentations highlight both the local history and the cultural connections between Wyoming’s frontier lifestyle and the luxurious elements imported from outside the region.

Atmosphere and Experience

Trail End State Historic Site offers a rare glimpse into the intersection of wealth, culture, and frontier life in early Wyoming. Walking through the mansion, visitors experience the grandeur and elegance of a bygone era, contrasted against the rugged backdrop of Sheridan and the surrounding plains. The site evokes reflection on the ambitions and achievements of Wyoming’s pioneering families, blending history, architecture, and personal narrative into a richly immersive experience.