Remains of Lincoln Highway near Lyman, Federal Highway Administration Photo.

Mountain View, approx. 1925

Mountain View, approx. 1925

Although for the most part the Lincoln Highway followed the Union Pacific Railroad, in the area of the Bridger Valley the route deviated. Thus, Mountain View, southwest of Lyman, is on the railroad but was not on the Lincoln Highway.

Bucking Horse Cafe at Fort Bridger

Approximaterly eight miles past Lyman would bring early travelers on the highway to Fort Bridger where the Bucking Horse Cafe, as indicated by the above photo, catered to those in need of refreshment. The building depicted is still in existence on the north side of the highway across the street from the State Historical Site. For photos of and history of Fort Bridger see Bridger.

The stretch of Lincoln Highway from Fort Bridger to Evanston even as late as 1919 was abysmal. It took Col. Eisenhower's military convoy eight hours to traverse the 35 miles from Fort Bridger to Evanston.

Lincoln Highway in Wyoming, 1920.

Front Street, Evanston, approx. 1941.

The hotel is the Hotel Evanston constructed in 1912 by George Spencer and Joe Bird, Sr. Originally it had 31 rooms but was expanded by the addition of another 19 rooms. Fourteen rooms had private baths and all rooms were equipped with telephones and hot and cold water. The hotel has sat vacant since the 1980's. The property has now been acquired by a Downtown Development Agency, but as of this writing (August 2003), it sits forlornly in a state of decrepitude. Improvements are, however, being made. The facade has been improved. School children have painted murals and the vertical "Freeman's" sign appears to have been given a face lift. Between the Standard Cafe and the Hotel, in the one story building, is a bar. The Standard Cafe is now a health spa. Next is Freeman's lounge which connected to the hotel. Freeman's also operated a cafe in the hotel. See next photo.

Freeman's and Hotel Evanston, approx. 1946

In the 1950's Freeman's Cafe was a typical small-town cafe and restaurant, with pressed tim ceiling. On the left was a lunch counter with a mirrored backbar. In fromt of the backbar, the coffee cups and glassware were displayed. The swiveling stools at the far end had backs and were upholstered in yellow Naugahyde, at the other end the stools were round, without backs, and upholstered in orange. Jukebox selection cabinets were placed along the lunch counter so that one could select the latest Elvis hit without leaving one's seat.

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