Probably named because of the headdress of a friendly Indian. (Annals of Wyoming 14:3) Named when a detachment of soldiers was sent to establish a fort on Warbonnet Creek in 1875. Thinking that they were on the right location when they got to Sage Creek, they build their dugout fort on the site of what became old Hat Creek Stage Station and Post Office and called it Hat Creek, short for Warbonnet. Warbonnet Creek is in Nebraska, near the Wyoming line and the error appears obvious. (Annals of Wyoming 15:1) Hat Creek is located near Hat Rock, which is shaped like a hat. (WSL)
County:
Niobrara
Feature Category:
Manmade Features
Alternate Spellings:
Hatcreek
More Reading:
Hat Creek and hard times : people and events in the history of a Wyoming community. Bryant, Edward C. Fairfax, Va. : Hero Books, c1988.; Hat Creek Dateline. Niobrara County Library Web, 2015; Hat Creek Post Office Memories. The Lusk Herald February 21, 1990. Niobrara County Library Web, 2015
