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Landowner seeks safety turnout at privately owned 'French Pete' site; historians and state preservation office say 2023 survey found no confirmation
Summary
A Sheridan County landowner asked the commission to study creating a roadside pullout at a privately owned property that petitioner Larry Duran and supporters say contains the historic 'French Pete' site. The county historic preservation chair and a 2023 survey cited by staff say the study did not substantiate that location; SHPO has not approved a plaque or National Register listing.
A Sheridan County landowner and local preservation advocates appeared before commissioners on June 1 seeking help making a narrow stretch of Prairie Dog Road safer for motorists and visitors who stop to view a privately owned site they believe is linked to the historic "French Pete" incident.
Commissioner Mike Arce introduced the petition and asked county engineering and planning staff to study creating a pullout at 73 Upper Prairie Dog Road. Landowner Larry Duran told the commission he and others have found artifacts on the property, said cadaver dogs alerted on a knoll where he believes four men were buried, and said state personnel have visited and confirmed the findings. "The dogs went nuts," Duran said of the canine search teams, adding that his group plans to erect a monument on the private property and will not open the site to general public access.
Not everyone agreed with that interpretation. Vicky Taylor, who spoke during public comment and referenced a report by Odell Archaeology, said the funded archaeological study concluded "nothing confirms the presence of an engagement, burial, or a wolvesman trail at this site," and urged the county to check historical records before treating the location as the French Pete site. Christina Lohworth, chair of the Bighorn City historic preservation board, told the commission the county contracted ACR consultants (the Odell report) in 2023 for an inventory and eligibility determination and that the preservation commission did not find sufficient evidence to support listing the property. She said state SHPO staff told her they have not given official approval for a plaque or National Register listing but that the state would welcome additional research if provided.
Commissioners asked staff to follow up with the state to resolve what appeared to be conflicting state communications, and asked county engineering to estimate costs for a pullout so the item can return to the agenda. The petitioner said a monument should be installed by July to mark the 160th anniversary of the event; commissioners said they would gather additional documentation and revisit the request once staff had cost estimates and any state updates.
