In honor of Black History month, the AHC would like to celebrate African-American experiences in the west by sharing this photograph of the Stepp family; taken on Alonzo T. Stepp’s ranch in the 1920s. Originally from Berea, Kentucky, Alonzo Stepp came to Wyoming to try cowboy life in the open space of Wyoming. First starting as a sheepherder he eventually owned his own land in Lincoln County near LaBarge, Wyoming; which stayed in the family until the 1960s, when the land was claimed by eminent domain for irrigation projects. Information about the Stepp family can be found in the John Ravage papers.
Alonzo Stepp Family in front of their homestead cabin near LaBarge, Wyoming, ca. 1920. Ranch-Stepp photograph file, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
The history of the Stepp family is not the only African-American story available at the AHC. Other resources regarding African-American history in the west include collections such as (and not limited to) Harriet Elizabeth Byrd, the Black 14, Joseph C. O’Mahoney, and Grace Raymond Hebard; subject and photograph files; and a popular traveling exhibit.
My name is dorothy stepp, thank you for the highlight on thw steps, would like to learn more
Hi Dorothy. Thanks for your comment. I’m glad that you found this blog post! I will scan and email you the other materials that we have related to your family and email those to the address associated with your WordPress account. I did want to let you know in the meantime, that a few photos of your family have been scanned and made available through our digital collections at https://www.digitalcollections.uwyo.edu/luna. There is a search bar in the top right corner, where you can search for Stepp and find the photos that are available there.
Dear Ms. Baker: Pardon our delay on getting back to you. The UW American Heritage Center has a small set of materials titled the Alonzo T. Stepp Collection. The materials were donated by Geraldine Stepp on July 9, 1982. For more information about the collection, please feel free to email me at lwaggen2@uwyo.edu. Reply sent from AHC Archivist Leslie Waggener.
My name is Justin Jackson. I am the son of Vivienne Stepp. Vivienne is the daughter of John Stepp. John is the son of Alonzo Stepp. I tried the digitalcollections website but the link was unsuccessful. Would like more information!
Thanks for your question. I’m referring it to the AHC’s Reference Dept. You can also contact them directly at ahcref@uwyo.edu.