Discover the Unique Fossil Cabin: A Dinosaur Bone Marvel
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Chapter 1: The Fossil Cabin Unveiled
Nestled just outside the quaint town of Medicine Bow, Wyoming, lies the Fossil Cabin, often regarded as one of the oldest structures in the world. This extraordinary cabin is constructed from thousands of dinosaur bones that are millions of years old. Built in 1932 as a roadside attraction, it showcases the vast number of dinosaur remains found in this part of the United States.
When settlers first arrived in the western regions of North America, they stumbled upon a remarkable sight: dinosaur bones were everywhere. As they dug into the earth in search of materials for construction or gold, they uncovered heaps of these ancient reptilian remains.
The cabin was the brainchild of homesteader Thomas Boylan, who spent 17 years collecting thousands of bones. Initially, he hoped to reconstruct the dinosaurs he had unearthed, but he quickly faced an overwhelming challenge: he possessed too many bones to assemble accurately. Without knowing if the bones belonged to the same species or even fit together, Boylan shifted his focus from an elaborate fossil garden to creating a cabin.
Section 1.1: Fascinating Facts About the Fossil Cabin
The Fossil Cabin is constructed from an astonishing 5,796 fossilized dinosaur bones, collectively weighing 102,116 pounds. Rather than attempt the daunting task of reconstructing the dinosaur skeletons, Boylan creatively transformed his collection into a unique cabin.
Spanning 29 feet by 19 feet (551 square feet), the cabin was heavily promoted as a must-see destination for travelers heading west toward California. Boylan aimed to attract the many motorists passing through.
The cabin gained notoriety through features in Ripley's Believe It Or Not and even had its own postcards that invited visitors to see the "building that used to walk." Despite its intriguing nature, the cabin did not bring in the traffic Boylan had envisioned, though sufficient interest allowed it to remain open until 1960, when the nearby interstate's construction diminished road traffic along Route 30.
Section 1.2: The End of an Era
The primary revenue source for the Boylans was the gas station situated in front of the Fossil Cabin. However, the opening of the interstate eventually forced the gas station to close. Since the Boylans' passing, the property has changed hands several times, with some suggesting relocating the cabin to a more appealing location.
The structure is not only remarkably heavy and sturdy but also a truly unique piece of history.
Chapter 2: Visiting the Fossil Cabin Today
Explore the captivating stories behind geology and the Fossil Cabin in this engaging episode of "Amazing Tales of Geology."
The Fossil Cabin still stands proudly outside Medicine Bow, Wyoming, having been added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 due to its distinctive construction and historical significance. This designation helps ensure it remains in its current location. Although privately owned, the cabin can still be seen by curious travelers, despite no longer functioning as an official roadside attraction.
It remains the only building in the United States constructed from fossilized dinosaur bones, with the surrounding area known for its rich deposits of fossils still hidden beneath the surface.
Watch this captivating video that showcases the discovery of dinosaur fossils right in someone's backyard, highlighting the rich paleontological heritage of the region.
