Over a Century of History

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Trail End

Trail End Timeline

TRAIL END HAS had only three owners: the Kendrick family, the Sheridan County Historical Society, and the State of Wyoming. All have been respectful of the house and its environs, especially the state, which has done all needed repairs and restoration since gaining ownership in 1982. Even so, in the 100-plus years since John Kendrick first laid eyes on the site that is now Trail End, many changes have taken place. A balcony has been enclosed, paint colors have changed, trees have died and been replanted. Outside the grounds, neighborhoods have grown up on two sides while several schools have come and gone on another. Here's a quick timeline:

THE KENDRICK YEARS

1889   John Kendrick moves to Sheridan area
1895   John purchases property in Nielsen Heights for future home
1905   John donates land next to home site for use as city park
1908   Construction of Trail End begins on Nielsen Heights property
1909   Kendrick family moves to Sheridan Inn
1910 Family moves into Carriage House
1913   Family moves into Trail End in July
1914 Family hosts public open house on New Year's Day
1914 Most landscaping completed

1915 Family moves to Cheyenne while John serves as Governor of Wyoming
1917   Family moves to Washington, DC while John serves as Senator
1929   Manville and wife Diana move into Trail End
1934   Eula moves back to Trail End after John's death
1959   Eula moves to Texas to live with daughter Rosa-Maye
1960   Manville and Diana move out of Trail End

POST-KENDRICK YEARS

1968    Sheridan County Historical Society purchases house and grounds
1969    Trail End opens as community museum
1970    Trail End added to National Register of Historic Places
1979    Carriage House remodeled into community theater
1982    Trail End given to State of Wyoming
1985    Carriage House partially destroyed by fire; rebuilt
1986    Handicap access ramp, elevator and restrooms installed at Trail End
1988    Carriage House corral remodeled into courtyard
1995   Trail End's entire original electrical system replaced
2002   Replanting efforts begin on grounds
2005    Substantial restoration projects improve interior finishes

2013 Trail End celebrates 100th anniversary with a year-long series of events