National Register Listing

Jay Em Historic District

Main St., Jay Em, WY
Local significance of the district:
Commerce

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

Wyoming was the first state in the US to grant women the right to vote. On December 10, 1869, Wyoming Governor John A. Campbell signed the first women's suffrage bill into law, making Wyoming the first government in the world to grant women the right to vote and to hold public office.
Wyoming random facts
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.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in 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.