Historic Courthouse

Johnson County Courthouse

Cleburne, Wyoming

Built in 1883 in Second Empire architectual style by architect Wesley Clarke Dodson by contractor Lee Slaughter.

Mansard roofed pavilions and tower, and gabled center pavilions are noteworthy features.cost $49.685City Marshal Albert Bledsoe died fighting the fire which would destroy the courthouse.

Burned April 15, 1912.

Current status: gone/burned

The Texas Historical Commission's (THC) nationally recognized and award-winning Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) has turned around the trend of disrepair and begun restoring these treasured historic landmarks. Texas has more historic courthouses than any other state. Today more than 240 courthouses still stand that are least 50 years old. About 80 were built before the turn of the 20th century. By the end of that century, most of these structures were significantly deteriorated due to inadequate maintenance, insensitive modifications or weather related damage. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) documented the condition of 50 of the state’s oldest courthouses in the late 1990s and determined that counties lacked the resources to preserve the buildings for future generations.

law courthouses buildings
Wyoming is a different country.
Dave Branch in The Good Wolves: A True Story of Love, Loss, and Survival in the Wild
Johnson County, Wyoming, has a rich history that is deeply rooted in the western expansion and development of the United States. This county was initially inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Crow and Sioux, who relied on the abundant natural resources of the area for their survival. In the early 19th century, fur trappers and traders explored the region, becoming the first non-indigenous people to establish a presence in Johnson County.

The 1860s brought significant changes to Johnson County as the arrival of the Bozeman Trail led to tensions between the Native American tribes and the new settlers. This conflict culminated in the Fetterman Fight of 1866, where a group of U.S. Army soldiers and civilians were ambushed by Native American warriors. This event marked the beginning of a period of hostility known as the Indian Wars in Johnson County.

During the late 19th century, Johnson County experienced tremendous growth with the arrival of ranchers and cowboys who took advantage of the vast open range in the area. Cattle ranching became the dominant industry, attracting numerous settlers to the county. This era also witnessed the development of small towns, such as Buffalo, as economic and social centers.

In the early 20th century, the discovery of oil in Sheridan encouraged both population growth and economic diversification in Johnson County. This newfound prosperity led to the construction of infrastructure, including railroads and highways, which further supported the county's development. Today, Johnson County remains a vibrant community that honors its rich history while embracing the challenges and opportunities of the modern era.

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

  • 1804 - The Lewis and Clark Expedition passes through the area that is now Johnson County.
  • 1829 - The first known non-Native American visitor, William Drummond Stewart, explores the area.
  • 1866 - The Bozeman Trail is established, bringing increased traffic through Johnson County.
  • 1875 - Cattle ranchers begin to settle in the area.
  • 1881 - Buffalo hunters decimate the native buffalo population.
  • 1882 - The Johnson County War, a range war between small ranchers and big cattle barons, takes place.
  • 1888 - The Wyoming Stock Growers Association is formed in Buffalo, the county seat of Johnson County.
  • 1909 - The Bighorn National Forest is established, preserving a large portion of Johnson County's land.
  • 1936 - Construction of the famous Ucross High School is completed.
  • 2021 - Johnson County celebrates its rich history and continues to thrive as a county in Wyoming.