Population: 490 (2010 U.S. Census)

Elevation: 4,059 ft.

HISTORY

The historic Bozeman Trail of the mid-1860s passed through Big Horn. Scouted by John Bozeman through eastern Wyoming to the rich gold fields of Montana, the trail was the scene of many battles between those attempting to secure and use the trail and the Indians who relied upon the rich hunting grounds in the area. Those skirmishes earned the trail the nickname “The Bloody Bozeman”. The U.S. Cavalry forbade parties of fewer than 100 wagons to take the trail through Big Horn; nevertheless, the many battles and territorial fighting culminated at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, 70 miles north of Sheridan.

Ernest Hemingway stayed at Folly Ranch and Spear-O-Wigwam in the Big Horn area during the summer of 1928. (He also stayed at the Historic Sheridan Inn in Sheridan.) During his time here, Hemingway fished, hunted, and finished his masterpiece, A Farewell to Arms.

The town was founded in 1881 and over the past century the area developed into a ranching community. The town just celebrated its 130th birthday in 2011.

TODAY IN BIG HORN

Big Horn is home to great places like the Big Horn Polo Fields, Flying H Polo Club, Bozeman Museum, The Brinton Museum, Last Chance Bar, Big Horn Smokehouse & Saloon and the Big Horn Mercantile. The area also plays host to such events as the Annual Snickers Big Horn Soccer Cup, Wyoming 3A/4A State Soccer Championships and Wyoming State Cup. Last and certainly not the least, Big Horn has the back entrance into the Bighorn Mountains via Red Grade Road (seasonally open).

If you have any questions about the town of Big Horn please contact: Judy Slack Big Horn City Historical Society (307) 674-6363.