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 Boom’s Broken Promises Miner’s 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: Wyoming’s 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 Willie’s Handcart Company Wind River Canyon Wind River Range Women of Sixth Crossing World War II Wyoming Winds "The Sinks" “Wild Sheep and Wild Fire”
The famous geologist and explorer John Wesley Powell led an expedition down the Green and Colorado rivers, which run through Wyoming, in 1869.
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.

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.