Population: 866 (2012 projection)
Elevation: 3,763 ft.

A visitor’s first stop off of Interstate 90 coming from Montana is Ranchester, an incorporated town filled with folks warmly inviting you to its growing population. With continuing plans to install a natural gas line from Sheridan, Ranchester is bursting with new developments and some of the most affordable housing options in the county. 

The branch library, Tongue River Valley Community Center, new coffee shops, established restaurants and local outdoor amenities help all feel welcome. 

For travelers stopping for the Fourth of July festivities or a juicy burger on their way back from a mountain adventure, stopping in at the Connor Battlefield State Historic Site is a must. The park allows camping and serves as host to the annual Independence Day internationally recognized wife-carrying competition.

The schools pair up with Dayton to comprise part of Sheridan County School District 1, which provides intimate classroom experiences with small class sizes and classmates that double as neighbors. A fun cross-county rival exists with Big Horn athletics, too. 

HISTORY

Incorporated in 1911, Ranchester got its name from S.H. Hardin, who owned a local ranch encompassing several thousand acres. Town names in Hardin’s native England often ended in “chester,” so Hardin dubbed the town “Ranchester.” In addition to its namesake ranches, the town was the site of the loading dock for railroad ties hewn from harvested Bighorn Mountains timber and floated down the tie flume.

MORE ABOUT RANCHESTER TODAY

Ranchester boasts a new visitor’s center to welcome you when you are visiting their area. It is also home of the Connor Battlefield Wyoming State Park. There you will find a monument, with interpretive signage, picnic area and campgrounds.

Meet Sue, a cast skull of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, at the T-R Natural History Museum in Ranchester. The museum is small, but packed with attractions — the massive T-Rex skull, raptor fossils, geological curiosities, crystals, and more. The museum makes for an excellent diversion from the road if you’re en route to the Bighorn Mountains or Yellowstone National Park, or if you’re from Sheridan County and looking to experience something new in your own backyard.

Afterwards, get a treat at Innominate Coffeehouse and Bakery, or find a spot at the Wyoming Buckshot Saloon for a gourmet burger or sandwich.

Content by The Sheridan Press
The Sheridan Press has served Sheridan County, Wyoming, since 1887. The award-winning independent newspaper offers print and online news delivery platforms to the thriving community, which boasts a college; a lively arts, culture, and music scene; a bustling downtown; and many other amenities, including unlimited outdoor recreational opportunities. To subscribe to The Sheridan Press, click here.