Welcome to Newcastle, Wyoming
Newcastle, Wyo.
Newcastle, Wyo., (population 3,003; elevation 4,334 feet) was formally established in 1889 as a townsite on the Burlington Railroad, which built a spur to the nearby Cambria coal mines. Many early residents came from the nearby settlement of Tubb Town, built by speculators who had bet the railroad would pass through that location instead of Newcastle. Known for its rowdy inhabitants, Tubb Town carried its reputation with it to Newcastle when the entire town moved there on Sept. 10, 1889.
To the northeast of Newcastle was the coal company town of Cambria, the earliest settlement in the area, established in 1887. Cambria was a different kind of place than Tubb Town — a company town known as the “Model Coal Camp of the World.”
Model or not, when coal reserves ran out in 1928, the town quickly died.
But by 1905, the Wild West was on its way out, and the domesticity of small-town life was settling in. In 1905, a new business known as The Newcastle Roller Mills was established. The flour milling firm was powered by electricity, with enough generated to provide extra power for street lights in the vicinity.
In 1919, D.J. Toomey of Spearfish bought the mill, renaming it D.J. Toomey Produce Company. In later years, the company became famous for its Toomey’s Flapjack Flour and Toomey’s Biscuit Mix.
Today, Newcastle considers itself the western gateway to the Black Hills, with its location just 9 miles from the Wyoming-South Dakota border. The town boasts many motels, campgrounds and eating establishments geared to the tourist industry.
‘Gymkhanas’ means summer fun at Newcastle
The word “gymkhanas” may not come to mind when you consider a visit to Newcastle, Wyo. But if you or your family enjoys watching young people compete in events such as goat tying, barrels, poles or break away roping, you may want to attend one of the Weston County Gymkhanas scheduled at the Weston County Fairgrounds in Newcastle this summer.
The age groups that will compete are pre-junior horseless (7 years old and younger), pre-junior (7 years old and younger), junior (8-12 years old), senior (13-18 years old) and adult (19 and older).
Exhibition barrels will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., and costs $5 per run. Contestants can enter each event for $2. Ribbons will be awarded to sixth place.
Contestants must participate in four of the five scheduled gymkhanas to qualify for the series awards. Your age on the date of the first gymkhana determines your age group.
There are no second runs with the same horse and contestant.
Here is the schedule:
June 14: 1. Barrels; 2. Poles; 3. Goat tying/ribbon snatch; 4. Flag rescue; 5. Rescue race.
June 28: 1. Barrels; 2. Poles; 3. Goat tying/ribbon snatch; 4. Musical cones; 5. Ribbon race.
July 12: 1. Barrels; 2. Poles; 3. Goat tying/ribbon snatch; 4. Key hole race; 5. 4-in-line barrels.
July 26: 1. Barrels; 2. Poles; 3. Goat tying/ribbon snatch; 4. Break-away roping (Jr. and up groups), 5. Key hole race; 6. Candy dash (pre-juniors).
Aug. 9: (pizza party and awards): 1. Egg and spoon; 2. Barrels; 3. Poles; 4. Quad race.
Competition begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call Ellen McKenzie at 307-746-8669.
Section Navigation
