Goshen County, Wyoming

A Father’s Grief . . . A Soldier’s Honor Administration Building Ben Trout Homestead Shack Between Two Worlds . . . the American Métis C.O.’s Chicken Coop Captain’s Quarters Cavalry Barracks Cold Springs Commissary Storehouse Crossroads of a Nation Moving West Embassy on the Northern Plains Empire, Wyoming: African American Community Building in the West Fort John – The ‘Second Fort Laramie’ Fort Laramie Fort Laramie National Historic Site Fort Laramie National Historic Site Fort Platte Fort William and the Fur Trade General Sink (Latrine) Guardhouse Handcarts – The New Plan Infantry Barracks John (Portugee) Phillips Magazine Mary Elizabeth Homsley Military Justice: Punishment Harsh and Certain Mormon Pioneer Trail Mormon Pioneers at Fort Laramie Noncommissioned Officers’ Quarters Officers Quarters Old Army Bridge Over the Platte River Old Bedlam Old Texas Trail Oregon Trail Oregon Trail Oregon Trail Oregon Trail Parade Ground Post Quartermaster’s Area Reading, ‘Riting, and ‘Rithmetic Refinement at Fort Laramie Sawmill Site of Army Bridge Spanning a Century: End of an Era Stuart’s 1812-13 Astorian Party Campsite Texas Trail The Cavalry Stables The Cheyenne-Black Hills Trail The Grattan Fight The Greatest Ride in History The Journey West Continues The Oregon Trail The Pony Express The Post Bakeries The Post Hospital The Queens of Soap Suds Row The Rustic Hotel The Rustic Hotel “ . . . No Second-Rate Affair” The Sutler’s House The Sutler’s Store The “Government Workhouse” The “New” Guardhouse and Adjacent Barracks To All Pioneers Transcontinental Telegraph ‘Where’s the Wall?’ “If I Should Die Before…” “Officers Row”
Goshen County, located in the northeastern corner of Wyoming, has a rich and diverse history. The region was originally home to various Native American tribes, including the Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples, who utilized the land for hunting and gathering. The first recorded European contact occurred in the early 1800s with the arrival of fur trappers and traders.

In 1849, the California Gold Rush brought an influx of settlers to the area. As a result, Fort Laramie was established in 1849 as a strategic trading post and military outpost along the Oregon and California Trails. The fort played a significant role in the westward expansion, serving as a vital supply point and a place of rest for weary travelers. The relationship between settlers and Native Americans, however, became increasingly strained as tension escalated over land rights and resources.

The establishment of the Union Pacific Railroad in the late 1860s brought a new wave of settlers to Goshen County. The railroad facilitated trade and transportation, leading to the growth of towns and communities along its route. Agribusiness, particularly cattle ranching and farming, became the mainstay of Goshen County's economy, attracting even more settlers to the region.

In the early 20th century, Goshen County experienced both challenges and opportunities. Drought, economic depressions, and the Great Depression impacted the region, making survival difficult for many residents. However, efforts to harness water resources through irrigation systems and the construction of the Guernsey Dam provided a much-needed boost to agriculture and helped mitigate some of the challenges faced by the community.

Today, Goshen County continues to thrive as an agricultural hub, with farming and ranching remaining integral to its economy. The region also embraces its history and heritage, evident in the preservation of historical sites such as Fort Laramie and the Oregon-California Trails. Goshen County's diverse past shapes its present, serving as a reminder of the resilience and tenacity of those who have called the area home over the years.
Brief timeline of the history of Goshen County, Wyoming:

  • 1885 - Goshen County is established in the Wyoming Territory.
  • 1890 - The county experiences a population boom with the arrival of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.
  • 1911 - Torrington becomes the county seat, replacing Cheyenne.
  • 1932 - The Goshen Irrigation District is formed, bringing water to the county's agricultural lands.
  • 1969 - Goshen County welcomes its first community college, Eastern Wyoming College.
  • 1982 - Goshen County Museum is opened, showcasing the region's history and culture.
  • 1997 - The Wyoming State Fair moves to Goshen County, becoming an annual event.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Goshen County, Wyoming.