Clay Spur Bentonite Plant & Camp, Dwelling, Clay Spur Siding on Burlington Northern Railroad, Osage, Weston County, WY

Significance: The Clay Spur Bentonite Plant and Camp is associated with the early 20th century bentonite mining industry in Wyoming and the United States. The Clay Spur Bentonite District was the center of the pioneer Wyoming bentonite industry and remained the premier Wyoming producing district until reserves began to dwindle in the 1950s. The plant embodies the distinctive engineering technology of the bentonite industry. The camp also reflects early twentieth century company town architecture with simple buildings and floor plans that could be quickly and cheaply constructed and adapted to many different uses. The superintendent's dwelling is a one-story wood frame building, 40 feet north-south by 28 feet east-west, with a gable roof covered with asphalt shingles. The exterior walls are covered with stucco. The east elevation has an open porch with a leanto roof running the length of this side. The porch has a concrete deck. Windows generally consist of one over one-light double-hung units with wood frames. There is a brick interior chimney protruding from the roof. The building rests on a concrete foundation and has a partial basement that has been remodeled with composition wood paneling. The building has a fenced yard with planted trees and shrubs and concrete sidewalks. Narrow tongue-and-groove paneling was used in the porch ceiling and in the eaves. The interior consists of a living room, kitchen, two bedrooms, bath, closets, and basement. Walls are plastered, and some carpeting and furniture remain. This is one of the original buildings at the Clay Spur camp. It was constructed sometime prior to 1930 and served as a mess hall at least until 1940. This building was used as a rental as late as the mid-1980s, and has therefore been maintained longer than any of the other buildings at Clay Spur.
Survey number: HAER WY-23-I