Clay Spur Bentonite Plant & Camp, Oil House, 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 oil house is a small one-story wood frame structure (10 feet square) with a gable roof. The roof and exterior walls are covered with corrugated tin sheeting. The interior has a wood floor and is empty. The station once had gasoline pumps set in a concrete base or island, but the pumps have been removed.
Survey number: HAER WY-23-N