Little America: History Along the Lincoln Highway

When looking for a hotel in Little America, you can consider not only the destination but also its history and a specific point of interest for traveling with children. The development of the property is closely connected to the Lincoln Highway; the Kids Playground gives children a place to play after a long drive. These two topics appeal to different travel interests: the road and business history provides historical context for Little America, while the playground offers a practical point of interest for families.

Historic Property and Change of Location

Little America, Wyoming, officially opened in 1934. The original travel station combined two gas pumps, a 24-seat café, and twelve guest rooms—providing fuel, a place to eat, and overnight accommodation at one location. These three details reflect different functions of a travel station, not simply different types of lodging: getting gas, stopping for a meal, and staying overnight were all part of the original property. This makes the historic connection between travel needs and overnight stays in Little America tangible.

A real emperor penguin is also part of the story: it was brought from Antarctica to serve as Little America’s official mascot. Alongside the roads and original facilities, it is a distinct and immediately recognizable part of the business’s history.

In 1949, a fire destroyed the original operation. The current location was established a few miles southeast of the original property. The story of its development therefore includes both the setback of the fire and the later establishment of the property at its current location; the original operation and today’s location are two distinct points in the area’s history.

The Lincoln Highway and Today’s Road Connections

The original property stood at the junction of U.S. 30, the Lincoln Highway, and U.S. 189. The Lincoln Highway was the first transcontinental automobile road in the United States, giving Little America’s connection to the road historical significance beyond the local junction. Today, the section of the former Lincoln Highway near Little America is part of Interstate 80. These details reflect two different time periods: the junction describes the location of the original property, while its inclusion in I-80 describes the present-day status of the former highway section.

The Kids Playground as a Specific Point of Interest

The Kids Playground is between the hotel lobby and the Travel Center, just a few steps from the RV Park. It gives children a place to play after a long drive. Both details are useful for orientation: the named landmarks indicate where the play area is, and its function as a place to play after a long drive is clear. For travelers with children, the playground is therefore a specific, easy-to-locate point of interest to consider when planning.

What Matters for Planning Your Trip

When choosing, the two topics answer different questions: the road and business history explains the destination’s historic character, while the playground is a specific place where children can play after a long drive. If you’re looking for a hotel in Little America, you can decide which connection is more relevant to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Rock Springs, Green River

For the main travel overview: Sweetwater County.