A pillar of the community. A source of strength, security and stability. First National Bank of Rock River WY was none of these things.

The bank, established in 1919, failed in 1923 in an investment-kiting scandal. Some executives were punished, and the town floundered.

The Lincoln Highway (later US 30) brought business to Rock River (not to be confused with Rock Springs). But decades later when I-80 came through 20-miles away, this became part of a seldom-traveled dogleg.