Lusk Wyoming Tourism

This small historical town, referred to as the home of the “Legend of Rawhide,” was literally brought back to life by this very production, which was written and first produced in 1946. The story is based both on fact and legend, and takes place during the California Gold Rush.

The story follows along these lines: After a pioneer deliberately murders an American Indian princess, his wagon party refuses to turn him over to the American Indians for punishment. With much soul searching, to save the lives of the other wagon train members and the woman he loved, the guilty man turned himself over to the tribal leaders. The production now graphically portrays his punishment being “skinned alive” to the amazement of audiences over the years. Of course the “skinning” is done with special effects but, according to past audiences, looks very real. This special production of the Legend of Rawhide is performed annually on the second weekend of July. It is a gigantic outdoor show of western history that includes a cast of some 200 area volunteers, 12 to 15 covered wagons, cavalry in uniform and a band of American Indians just as they lived on the plains over 100 years ago.

Lusk is located on the Cheyenne-Deadwood Stagecoach Route, and many of the historic markers are visible today. Some of the sites to visit along the trail include Fort Hat Creek Stage Station, George Lathrop Monument, the last stagecoach driver on the route and Mother Featherlegs Monument, a roadhouse madam who met her untimely end in the house she operated from 1876 to 1879.

Other areas of interest are Redwood Water Tower, Jireh College, Indian Creek Station, Robbers Roost Station, Historic Homestead Cabin and the Spanish Diggins site. Located north of Lusk is Paleo Park. Visitors can go for tours or take part in the excavation of dinosaur fossils.