Historical Markers in Fremont County, Wyoming
Atlantic City: Surviving the Bust
Beaver Rim and the Wind River Range
Block House
Bonneville Cabins
Borner's Garden Schoolhouse
Bossert Building
Boysen Dam and Reservoir Today
Boysen's Historic Dam
Crowheart Butte
Crushing Gold Ore
Cultural Heritage
Dallas Dome Oil Field
Esther Hobart Morris
Fauna of Union Pass
First Masonic Lodge in Wyoming
Flora at Union Pass
Fort Stambaugh, 1870-1878
Fort Washakie World War II Veterans Memorial
Fremont Hotel
Geology of the Wind River Canyon
Gold Flakes to Yellowcake Historic Mine Trail
Gold Flakes to Yellowcake Historic Mine Trail
Gold Flakes to Yellowcake Historic Mine Trail
How a Stamp Mill Works
I.O.O.F. Building
Ice Slough
IOOF Building - Golden Rule Store
Jeffrey City
Killed Here By Indians
Lander Cut-Off on the Oregon Trail
Lander Hotel
Lander Valley Historical Sites
Lander's Mill
Local Colour
M.N Baldwin Co.
Main Street
Meadows in the Sage
Miners Delight: The Booms Broken Promises
Miners Delight
Mrs. Maggie Richards and Mrs. Hall
Narcissa Prentiss Whitman
Noble Hotel
Noble Lane Building
Old Oregon Trail
Oregon Buttes
Oregon Trail
Pacific Springs
Palace Pharmacy, Albany Hotel, US Post Office
Pony Express
Popo Agie Power
Red Canyon
Red Canyon Wildlife Habitat Management Area
Resources
Road through a Pass
Rock Creek
Rocky Ridge
Sacajawea
Sacajawea
Sacajawea Cemetery
Sinks Canyon
Sinks Canyon - Corridor to the Winds
Site of Fort Augur
Site of Fort McGraw
Site of Fort Thompson or Camp Magraw
Site of Original Boysen Dam
Sixth Crossing
South Pass
South Pass
South Pass
South Pass and South Pass City
South Pass City
South Pass City: Wyomings Biggest Gold Boom and Bust
Split Rock
Split Rock
Split Rock Meadows
Sweetwater Station
Sweetwater Willows
The Atlantic City Project
The Carissa Mine: Cycle of Boom and Bust
The Corridor West
The Fur Trade
The Oregon Trail
The Ramshorn
The Rendezvous
The Right Rev. George Maxwell Randall, D.D.
The Rise of the Sinks
The Riverton Project
The Shoshone-Episcopal Mission Boarding School
The Sweetwater Valley
The Way West
Three Waters Mountain
Tie Hack Memorial
Trails to Opportunity
Trappers, Traders and Explorers
Union Pass
Union Pass
Washakie
Wild Horses
Willie Rescue Site
Willies Handcart Company
Wind River Canyon
Wind River Range
Women of Sixth Crossing
World War II
Wyoming Winds
"The Sinks"
Wild Sheep and Wild Fire
About Fremont County
Fremont County Timeline
Fremont County, Wyoming, has a rich history that stretches back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Shoshone and Arapaho, who lived off the land and relied on hunting and gathering for survival. The first European explorers to reach the area were the legendary Lewis and Clark expedition in the early 1800s. They were followed by various fur traders and trappers who ventured into the region attracted by its abundant wildlife.
In the mid-1800s, Fremont County played a significant role in the westward expansion of the United States. It became an important junction on the Oregon Trail, a major route used by pioneers in their quest for a better life in the western territories. The establishment of the Sublette Cutoff, a shortcut for the Oregon Trail, further increased the county's prominence as a stopping point for travelers.
With the discovery of gold in the late 1860s, Fremont County experienced a significant population boom. Numerous mining towns sprang up throughout the area, attracting prospectors from all over the country in search of fortune. Notable mining districts included Atlantic City, Miner's Delight, and South Pass City. The gold rush era brought great prosperity to the county, leading to the construction of schools, churches, and other infrastructure.
In the 20th century, Fremont County's economy diversified, moving away from mining and focusing more on agriculture, tourism, and other industries. Today, the county is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including parts of Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and the Wind River Range. It continues to be a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting, and winter sports. Despite changes over the years, Fremont County retains its rugged western charm and serves as a reminder of the rich history and heritage of the American frontier.
In the mid-1800s, Fremont County played a significant role in the westward expansion of the United States. It became an important junction on the Oregon Trail, a major route used by pioneers in their quest for a better life in the western territories. The establishment of the Sublette Cutoff, a shortcut for the Oregon Trail, further increased the county's prominence as a stopping point for travelers.
With the discovery of gold in the late 1860s, Fremont County experienced a significant population boom. Numerous mining towns sprang up throughout the area, attracting prospectors from all over the country in search of fortune. Notable mining districts included Atlantic City, Miner's Delight, and South Pass City. The gold rush era brought great prosperity to the county, leading to the construction of schools, churches, and other infrastructure.
In the 20th century, Fremont County's economy diversified, moving away from mining and focusing more on agriculture, tourism, and other industries. Today, the county is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including parts of Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and the Wind River Range. It continues to be a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting, and winter sports. Despite changes over the years, Fremont County retains its rugged western charm and serves as a reminder of the rich history and heritage of the American frontier.
Fremont County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Fremont County, Wyoming.
- 1807: The area that would later become Fremont County is explored by fur trappers and mountain men.
- 1825: The first permanent settlement, called Fort William, is established by trappers from the Rocky Mountain Fur Company.
- 1861: Fremont County is officially created as part of the Dakota Territory.
- 1868: The Treaty of Fort Bridger is signed, establishing the Wind River Indian Reservation within Fremont County.
- 1870: The town of Lander is founded and becomes the county seat.
- 1871: Gold is discovered in nearby South Pass City, leading to a gold rush and increased settlement in the area.
- 1884: The Shoshone National Forest, the first national forest in the United States, is established in Fremont County.
- 1896: Fremont County becomes part of the new state of Wyoming.
- 1911: The town of Riverton is founded and becomes the second-largest city in Fremont County.
- 1922: Wind River Canyon is opened, providing a scenic route through the county.
- 1950s-1960s: Uranium mining and nuclear testing bring economic development and population growth to Fremont County.
- 1972: The Wind River Indian Reservation is expanded, increasing its size within Fremont County.
- 1980s-1990s: Oil and gas exploration and production become major industries in Fremont County.
- 2005: The Wind River Casino opens on the Wind River Indian Reservation, contributing to the local economy.