Friday, March 20, 2026 |
Photo – Antelope Creek School – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Antelope Creek School continues to serve the children of Garrett, Wyoming.
An hour north of Rock River, along a bumpy dirt road, sits the small ranching community of Garrett, Wyoming. For years, ranchers Anna Anderson and her husband, Carson, were engaged in a legal battle with the Albany County School District to establish a school for their two young children, Emmitt and Waverly. School district officials told the family that the community’s low population of about 20 residents did not justify a schoolhouse, leaving the Andersons with two options: virtual learning or a daily drive to Rock River. Instead, they took their case to the Wyoming Supreme Court.
Although the court ultimately ruled against them based on a technicality, the Andersons continued pressing for a school. In the summer of 2024, after learning of their efforts, Carbon County Commissioner Sue Jones offered to sell an unused modular building in Medicine Bow to the Albany County School District for $80,000. The structure had been purchased five years earlier using impact‑assistance funding from the nearby TB Flats wind‑turbine construction project and was originally intended to house a Road and Bridge employee on one side and a sheriff’s deputy on the other. However, plans changed, and the building sat vacant for five years.
Over two days in September 2024, the building was moved from Medicine Bow to Garrett, traveling nearly 40 miles on narrow, unpaved roads and becoming the Antelope Creek School. Wheatland teacher Lexi Horblit was hired to teach the Anderson children and live in the two-room schoolhouse. A family emergency forced Horblit to return home last October, leaving the Antelope Creek School without a teacher.
Fearing the school would close, Anna Anderson called family friend and retired teacher Joyce Hammer for help. Although she had not planned to return to professional teaching, Hammer said the prospect of working with only two children convinced her to apply for the position.
Hammer began her teaching career in 1979, specializing in working with children with disabilities. After 20 years in public schools, she retired and opened her own preschool, which she operated for 22 years. Hammer said she has spent her entire life working with children.
Hammer resigned her position on the Niobrara County School Board, interviewed with the Albany County School District, and was teaching at the Antelope Creek School within a week.
Hammer developed a monthly curriculum that includes the Anderson children taking part in activities at the Rock River School and presentations within the Garrett community.
While only the two Anderson children attend the Antelope Creek School, Hammer said another ranching family has asked about enrolling their kindergarten‑age daughter. She said Emmitt and Waverly are looking forward to the possibility of another student.
The Antelope Creek and Rock River Schools follow Teton Science Schools Project‑Based Learning model, which uses a student’s local community to teach core academic subjects. However, with fewer than 20 residents, Hammer questioned how the community aspect of the program could be implemented in Garrett. A meeting with Rock River School PE teacher Ty Vallier led her to consider developing a public play and recreation facility at the Antelope Creek School to meet the requirement.
Hammer said the schoolyard requires substantial work before the play and recreation facilities can be installed. She intends to have students from the Rock River School help build the play equipment.
Hammer said she is putting together a presentation on the community recreation facility for Rock River School Principal Stacie Anfinson next week. Acknowledging that funding is tight at the moment, Hammer asked the public for donations of play equipment.
Hammer is looking for a tetherball setup, tire swing, monkey bars, a bench for her to sit on while the kids play, and a fence to keep horses out of the play area. For more information or to donate time or equipment, contact Joyce Hammer at 340‑0532 or email 24getfull@live.com.
