One of southeast Wyoming's most popular scenic attractions bears the name of the family headed by Alvah Washington Ayres: this is the Ayres Natural Bridge, located several miles west of Douglas.
After coming west from Kansas in 1860, Ayres drove wagon teams for more than 20 years, in both Colorado and Wyoming. It was during this itinerant life that he first saw the bridge that now bears his name: a natural span of rock that stretches across the flowing waters of LaPrele Creek. In 1882, he homesteaded the scenic land around this bridge and began raising cattle and horses.
Ayres was active in state politics, serving as a Representative in 1892. He was also instrumental in organizing the Wyoming Pioneer Association, an organization devoted to researching and recording the early history of the state.
Ayres was mortally injured in 1918 on a trip to Douglas, when an automobile frightened the team of horses he was driving, and sent his wagon out of control.
In 1920, the land that is today known as Ayres Natural Bridge Park was deeded to Converse County by Ayres' adopted son, Andrew--son of Sallie O. (Clay) Button, whom Ayres had wed in 1890. Today, the Park is maintained and administered by Converse County, and is open to the public on a seasonal basis.
---submitted by Chris Calcut
An article "Alvah Ayers, Pioneer Meets Sudden Death" including his obituary was in the Douglas Budget, Douglas, WY on Aug. 15, 1918 and can be obtained from the Converse County, WY library. Mr. Ayers was thrown from a wagon when the team got frightened and ran away after a speeding car passed them. The obituary part is as follows:
Alvah W. Ayres was one of the real pioneers of Wyoming. He first came to the state in 1865, Fort Laramie being his destination. In 1867 he made a trip to old Fort Fetterman, at a time when the Indians were a cause of much trouble. In 1882 he settled on the ranch on the LaPrele, twelve miles west of Douglas and that has been his home for the last thirty-six years.
He was born in Luzern county, now Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1841, son of James L. and Patience Ayres. The family removed from Pennsylvania to Illinois, later moving to Gage county, Nebraska.
In 1860 Mr,. Ayres made his first trip to the west, going from Beatrice to Colorado. For many years he followed the business of freighting, making many trips to Colorado and Wyoming. In 1882 he located on the LaPrele ranch, attracted by the beauty of the location. The Natural Bridge is located here and the LaPrele flows through the ranch.
On Apil 6, 1890, Mr. Ayers was married to Mrs. Sally O. Button, a native of Virginia. Mrs. Ayres had one son by her first marriage, Clement, who was adopted by Mr. Ayres. He lives near the old home place. Mrs. Ayres died a number of years ago.
Alvah Ayers was one of the most respected citizens of Converse county. Quiet and unobtrusive, he always took an interest in public affairs. He was one of the first school commissioners for Converse county and assisted in erecting the first school building within its borders. He was a member of the Wyoming legislature twenty-five years ago.
Deceased is survived by a son, Clement; a brother at Beatrice, Neb., a brother at Deadwood, S.D. and a sister residing in California.
© Excerpts from article in the Douglas Budget, Douglas, WY, Aug. 15, 1918
After coming west from Kansas in 1860, Ayres drove wagon teams for more than 20 years, in both Colorado and Wyoming. It was during this itinerant life that he first saw the bridge that now bears his name: a natural span of rock that stretches across the flowing waters of LaPrele Creek. In 1882, he homesteaded the scenic land around this bridge and began raising cattle and horses.
Ayres was active in state politics, serving as a Representative in 1892. He was also instrumental in organizing the Wyoming Pioneer Association, an organization devoted to researching and recording the early history of the state.
Ayres was mortally injured in 1918 on a trip to Douglas, when an automobile frightened the team of horses he was driving, and sent his wagon out of control.
In 1920, the land that is today known as Ayres Natural Bridge Park was deeded to Converse County by Ayres' adopted son, Andrew--son of Sallie O. (Clay) Button, whom Ayres had wed in 1890. Today, the Park is maintained and administered by Converse County, and is open to the public on a seasonal basis.
---submitted by Chris Calcut
An article "Alvah Ayers, Pioneer Meets Sudden Death" including his obituary was in the Douglas Budget, Douglas, WY on Aug. 15, 1918 and can be obtained from the Converse County, WY library. Mr. Ayers was thrown from a wagon when the team got frightened and ran away after a speeding car passed them. The obituary part is as follows:
Alvah W. Ayres was one of the real pioneers of Wyoming. He first came to the state in 1865, Fort Laramie being his destination. In 1867 he made a trip to old Fort Fetterman, at a time when the Indians were a cause of much trouble. In 1882 he settled on the ranch on the LaPrele, twelve miles west of Douglas and that has been his home for the last thirty-six years.
He was born in Luzern county, now Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1841, son of James L. and Patience Ayres. The family removed from Pennsylvania to Illinois, later moving to Gage county, Nebraska.
In 1860 Mr,. Ayres made his first trip to the west, going from Beatrice to Colorado. For many years he followed the business of freighting, making many trips to Colorado and Wyoming. In 1882 he located on the LaPrele ranch, attracted by the beauty of the location. The Natural Bridge is located here and the LaPrele flows through the ranch.
On Apil 6, 1890, Mr. Ayers was married to Mrs. Sally O. Button, a native of Virginia. Mrs. Ayres had one son by her first marriage, Clement, who was adopted by Mr. Ayres. He lives near the old home place. Mrs. Ayres died a number of years ago.
Alvah Ayers was one of the most respected citizens of Converse county. Quiet and unobtrusive, he always took an interest in public affairs. He was one of the first school commissioners for Converse county and assisted in erecting the first school building within its borders. He was a member of the Wyoming legislature twenty-five years ago.
Deceased is survived by a son, Clement; a brother at Beatrice, Neb., a brother at Deadwood, S.D. and a sister residing in California.
© Excerpts from article in the Douglas Budget, Douglas, WY, Aug. 15, 1918
One of southeast Wyoming's most popular scenic attractions bears the name of the family headed by Alvah Washington Ayres: this is the Ayres Natural Bridge, located several miles west of Douglas.
After coming west from Kansas in 1860, Ayres drove wagon teams for more than 20 years, in both Colorado and Wyoming. It was during this itinerant life that he first saw the bridge that now bears his name: a natural span of rock that stretches across the flowing waters of LaPrele Creek. In 1882, he homesteaded the scenic land around this bridge and began raising cattle and horses.
Ayres was active in state politics, serving as a Representative in 1892. He was also instrumental in organizing the Wyoming Pioneer Association, an organization devoted to researching and recording the early history of the state.
Ayres was mortally injured in 1918 on a trip to Douglas, when an automobile frightened the team of horses he was driving, and sent his wagon out of control.
In 1920, the land that is today known as Ayres Natural Bridge Park was deeded to Converse County by Ayres' adopted son, Andrew--son of Sallie O. (Clay) Button, whom Ayres had wed in 1890. Today, the Park is maintained and administered by Converse County, and is open to the public on a seasonal basis.
---submitted by Chris Calcut
An article "Alvah Ayers, Pioneer Meets Sudden Death" including his obituary was in the Douglas Budget, Douglas, WY on Aug. 15, 1918 and can be obtained from the Converse County, WY library. Mr. Ayers was thrown from a wagon when the team got frightened and ran away after a speeding car passed them. The obituary part is as follows:
Alvah W. Ayres was one of the real pioneers of Wyoming. He first came to the state in 1865, Fort Laramie being his destination. In 1867 he made a trip to old Fort Fetterman, at a time when the Indians were a cause of much trouble. In 1882 he settled on the ranch on the LaPrele, twelve miles west of Douglas and that has been his home for the last thirty-six years.
He was born in Luzern county, now Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1841, son of James L. and Patience Ayres. The family removed from Pennsylvania to Illinois, later moving to Gage county, Nebraska.
In 1860 Mr,. Ayres made his first trip to the west, going from Beatrice to Colorado. For many years he followed the business of freighting, making many trips to Colorado and Wyoming. In 1882 he located on the LaPrele ranch, attracted by the beauty of the location. The Natural Bridge is located here and the LaPrele flows through the ranch.
On Apil 6, 1890, Mr. Ayers was married to Mrs. Sally O. Button, a native of Virginia. Mrs. Ayres had one son by her first marriage, Clement, who was adopted by Mr. Ayres. He lives near the old home place. Mrs. Ayres died a number of years ago.
Alvah Ayers was one of the most respected citizens of Converse county. Quiet and unobtrusive, he always took an interest in public affairs. He was one of the first school commissioners for Converse county and assisted in erecting the first school building within its borders. He was a member of the Wyoming legislature twenty-five years ago.
Deceased is survived by a son, Clement; a brother at Beatrice, Neb., a brother at Deadwood, S.D. and a sister residing in California.
© Excerpts from article in the Douglas Budget, Douglas, WY, Aug. 15, 1918
After coming west from Kansas in 1860, Ayres drove wagon teams for more than 20 years, in both Colorado and Wyoming. It was during this itinerant life that he first saw the bridge that now bears his name: a natural span of rock that stretches across the flowing waters of LaPrele Creek. In 1882, he homesteaded the scenic land around this bridge and began raising cattle and horses.
Ayres was active in state politics, serving as a Representative in 1892. He was also instrumental in organizing the Wyoming Pioneer Association, an organization devoted to researching and recording the early history of the state.
Ayres was mortally injured in 1918 on a trip to Douglas, when an automobile frightened the team of horses he was driving, and sent his wagon out of control.
In 1920, the land that is today known as Ayres Natural Bridge Park was deeded to Converse County by Ayres' adopted son, Andrew--son of Sallie O. (Clay) Button, whom Ayres had wed in 1890. Today, the Park is maintained and administered by Converse County, and is open to the public on a seasonal basis.
---submitted by Chris Calcut
An article "Alvah Ayers, Pioneer Meets Sudden Death" including his obituary was in the Douglas Budget, Douglas, WY on Aug. 15, 1918 and can be obtained from the Converse County, WY library. Mr. Ayers was thrown from a wagon when the team got frightened and ran away after a speeding car passed them. The obituary part is as follows:
Alvah W. Ayres was one of the real pioneers of Wyoming. He first came to the state in 1865, Fort Laramie being his destination. In 1867 he made a trip to old Fort Fetterman, at a time when the Indians were a cause of much trouble. In 1882 he settled on the ranch on the LaPrele, twelve miles west of Douglas and that has been his home for the last thirty-six years.
He was born in Luzern county, now Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1841, son of James L. and Patience Ayres. The family removed from Pennsylvania to Illinois, later moving to Gage county, Nebraska.
In 1860 Mr,. Ayres made his first trip to the west, going from Beatrice to Colorado. For many years he followed the business of freighting, making many trips to Colorado and Wyoming. In 1882 he located on the LaPrele ranch, attracted by the beauty of the location. The Natural Bridge is located here and the LaPrele flows through the ranch.
On Apil 6, 1890, Mr. Ayers was married to Mrs. Sally O. Button, a native of Virginia. Mrs. Ayres had one son by her first marriage, Clement, who was adopted by Mr. Ayres. He lives near the old home place. Mrs. Ayres died a number of years ago.
Alvah Ayers was one of the most respected citizens of Converse county. Quiet and unobtrusive, he always took an interest in public affairs. He was one of the first school commissioners for Converse county and assisted in erecting the first school building within its borders. He was a member of the Wyoming legislature twenty-five years ago.
Deceased is survived by a son, Clement; a brother at Beatrice, Neb., a brother at Deadwood, S.D. and a sister residing in California.
© Excerpts from article in the Douglas Budget, Douglas, WY, Aug. 15, 1918
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