History: Tourism in Sheridan Through the Years

Tourism is big business for Sheridan today. It is the second largest industry that generates more than $120 million in local revenue yearly. The Winter Rodeo is coming up, and although it doesn’t draw as many people as the WYO Rodeo does, it does bring in some tourist dollars.

One of the first accounts in the old newspapers about tourists in Wyoming was in the Wyoming Weekly Leader, Cheyenne, September 18, 1869

The rush of travel to the Pacific is immense and rapidly increasing. Tourists, excursionists and emigrants in great numbers crowd the trains. The eastward bound trains are also crowded with passengers.

At first, Sheridan was simply a town that tourists went through on their way to Yellowstone or the Black Hills.

This from The Sheridan Post, January 25, 1894 – Good words for Sheridan. In June of 1890, Mr. F.C. Johnson of Boonville, NY in company with a party of tourists, visited Sheridan while enroute to the National Park. (Yellowstone was designated a National Park in 1872) Mr. Johnson, now publishing, in The Amerioan Magazine of Natural Science, an account of his trip. The following extract relating to Sheridan and surrounding country is made from his article in the January 1894 number: “As our caravan slowly drew near Sheridan, the great Big Horn mountains, with their stately snow capped peaks looming heavenward, attracted our attention, and from then on the sun browned prairie grew greener and streams more frequent.

“We were nearly out of the sage brush and alkali. Nearly into a “white mans’ country,” where the grass grows, and water runs, and trees mount skyward and spread out sweet shade. At last we saw the fertile valley of Goose creek before us and in the distance the coming charming metropolis of Northern Wyoming. We camped that night on a large irrigating ditch just outside of the town and enjoyed the bracing breeze from the mountains as we drifted off to dreamland.

“The next morning, we drove into the town which had an air of thrift and prosperity on every hand, in strong contrast to the condition of many Western mushroom towns, for Sheridan was built to stay. While in the town we met Mr. Geo. T. Beck, who owns a large ranch in one of the rich valleys of the Big Horn. “He took us to the “Business Men’s Club” and introduced us to many of the leading citizens of the place. When we visited Sheridan (June 1890) the nearest railroad station was about 120 miles away on the Northern Pacific railroad. Everything had to be carted that distance and prices were away up out of sight. Now, however, the Burlington Route has built into the pretty town, and everything is said to be on the boom. In the three years and a half since our party was there Sheridan has advanced wonderfully, and I can easily understand why, for golden opportunities for investment are to be found everywhere, from the ranch property, coal lands and mining claims to the town lots and additions about the little city, which are certain to increase rapidly in value. The coal industry is bound to make a large town of Sheridan. There is much of it, it is easily mined and is wonderfully clean.”

Shawn Parker, of Sheridan County Travel and Tourism, talked about Sheridan as a destination for tourists today.

Enterprising residents began to think of Sheridan as a destination as early as 1892. This from The Sheridan Post, June 16, 1892 – Fish. Our county dads are behind the times. Why don’t they stock our mountain lakes and the head waters of our mountain streams? The county of Sheridan and the mountains of the Big Horn range will annually divert thousands of western tourists who now visit Colorado and the south. What could be more desirable to an Omahog than to come here and rest his weary brain high up the mountain while he wanders among the mighty pines, or quietly drifts his boat about in the clear, blue lakes, ever and anon drawing up a toothsome speckled beauty from the waters beneath? Answer: Nothing.

And so the Omahawks will think after they have taken their summer outing here. Just above the first range the mountain grasses grow right down to the lake’s edge, but in these lakes are no fish. Thousands of fish are hatched at Laramie for distribution throughout the state. Our people are annually taxed to support a hatchery and fish commissioner, but there are no returns to this county. We are too far away — we do not agitate the matter ourselves, and we may rest assured that the southern part of the state will do nothing for us unless we try to help ourselves. We want fish and we want them bad.

The toll road will be completed to the lakes within thirty days, so that a man can make the trip from the railroad at Powder River in two days. The fish will be sent to Powder River from Laramie city by rail on demand. Wake up, county fathers, and get us some fish. We can now tell the people of Omaha and Chicago that we have snow-capped peaks, beautiful streams, lakes miles in length, and plenty of trout in the valleys, but none in the mountain lakes and several of our largest mountain streams above the falls. These should be well stocked this season, and if the commissioners do not attend to it there are enterprising and public-spirited men in the county who will.

Once cars became a more reliable mode of transportation, and highways were better maintained, tourism in the area increased. Campgrounds were established for tourist along the major routes. The Sheridan Enterprise, August 8, 1922 – Ideal tourist camping grounds are maintained at convenient locations along the entire of the Custer Battlefield Hiway. With such camping grounds available, tourists may travel at a minimum of expense and with many conveniences at their disposal. Towns and cities m which these camping grounds are located make a specialty of giving courteous attention to tourists. Visiting committees frequently welcome each visitor and see to it that his wants are made known and fulfilled.

Arvada— Maintained by Commercial Club; Equipment (E), (H); Grounds Free.

Clearmont — Maintained by Commercial Club; Equipment (E), (H), (Q); Grounds Free.

Sheridan— Maintained by Commercial Club; Pioneer Park; Five blocks from business district; Accommodations for seventy-five cars; Park covers sixty acres; Equipment (B), (C), (E). (F), (H), (I). (J), (X), (I,), (M), (N), (P), (Q); Excellent mountain water and plenty of fine shade; Touring Information Commercial Club, City Hall.

Ranchester — Maintained by Commercial Club. Equipment (E). (H); Grounds Free.

The Custer Battlefield Hiway once ran from Omaha, Nebraska, through a bit of Iowa, South Dakota, Northeast Wyoming, and through Montana to Glacier Park.

The Sheridan Post, December 23, 1910, talked about what the forest supervisor felt should draw tourists to the area. Attractions For Tourists Sheridan Would Make Good Summer Resort Center. Kavanagh Talks Believes Tourist Trade Would Mean Much to City. What Could Be Done.

It may seem unreasonable to discuss tourists and summer resorts in December, but moment’s reflection will convince those sufficiently interested to give the matter any thought that now, If ever is the time to do so. An outsider or comparative newcomer can more readily see Sheridan’s immense possibilities as a summer resort center than those who have lived here for years, to whom the charms of northern Wyoming do not appeal as they do to stranger. ln speaking of the many attractions of this part of the state yesterday, Forest Supervisor Kavanagh gave expression to his views as follows: “Sheridan people do not realize what they have here for the tourist. If they did, they would concentrate on this one Idea of advertising and developing Sheridan as summer resort center. In the heart of beautiful valley, practically surrounded by mountains, the scenery of which Is equal to that found anywhere; within easy access of numerous historical spots of countrywide fame, the location of the city is ideal, and Its possibilities cannot be gauged. “Sheridan, and in fact the whole State, needs to be awakened. The tourists will come If you can show them the goods, and tourists mean money in abundance.

“To show you what Colorado thinks of its tourists, the leading lights, including the governor and prominent businessmen, are advocating the construction of an automobile road right through the scenic center of the state. The next legislature, understand, will be asked to pass an appropriation to cover the expense of such scheme. “It Is proposed to build the road northwest from Colorado Springs, around Pike’s Peak, over the Continental Divide at Tennessee pass, down through the great fruit center on the western slope; thence along tbe Gunnison and Grand Uncompahgre rivers through southern central Colorado and back to the starting point total distance of about 1.000 miles. “Many cities of Colorado are practically supported by the tourist trade. Colorado Springs alone boasts permanent tourist population of 10.000 people. It would be almost Impossible to estimate the aggregate number of people who visit Colorado annually. They come, many of them, from the far east, to spend couple of weeks fishing In the Rockies or taking in some of the innumerable side trips afforded by the enterprising hotel and railroad Interests of that state. And they come well supplied with cash, and usually leave it all.

“Just think what could be done with Sheridan as center. For instance, Dayton would make one of many splendid locations for big hotel. purchase few acres up in the Tongue river canyon or in that vicinity, lay our drives, walks, golf links and tennis courts, build a little lake, construct a small reservoir farther up to furnish water for the grounds and hotel, scatter few fountains and flower beds about the grounds; have line of automobiles running between Sheridan and the resort, and you would have to turn the people away. “Think what comprehensive system of good automobile roads connecting Sheridan with all portions of the Big Horns and with the Crow reservation would mean to this city. In the mountains is scenery unsurpassed—it is shame not to turn it to some profit. Many easterners are Interested in the Indians and would like nothing better than to take an easy, comfortable trip through the reservation. Then there is the Custer battlefield, the scene of the wagon-box fight, the historic Powder River country—all within comparatively easy access. it would be the making of Sheridan in my opinion. Opportunity is knocking at our door, insisting that we get busy.” Many others feel as Supervisor Kavanagh does, that Wyoming, and Sheridan in particular, are not taking advantage of one of their principal and most easily utilized resources. Tourists bring thousands upon thousands of dollars to Colorado every year, and the Chambers of Commerce, general public and authorities of this state could well emulate the example of our neighbor on the south and cater to the moneyed travelers from the east.

Sheridan is not only a stop along the Black Hills – Yellowstone route, but it is also a tourist destination as well. There is the Sheridan WYO Rodeo, which draws large crowds and competitors each year. Coming up is the winter rodeo, which grows each year. There is fishing in the mountains, skiing, dude ranches, historic sites, scenery and many other attractions in the Sheridan area.