Name: Afton

 

County: Lincoln

 

Authority Name:  Afton (Wyo.)

 

GNIS Entry

 

Longitude: 1105555W

Latitude: 424330N

 

Legal Description:

 

Elevation: 6243/1903

(ft/m)

 

Feature Type: Populated Place

 

Origin of Name:

Settled in 1885, organized in 1891. Name supposedly derived from a remark of William Bridge’s, who said that Swift Creek’s turbulence would make it impossible for Burns to sing “Flow gently sweet Afton” in regard to this stream.

Source: WPA

 

Named for the song "Flow Gently Sweet Afton."

Source: Annals 14(2)

 

Other Names:

 

Alternative Spellings:

 

History:

Afton Post Office was established in April, 1888 when the location was in Uinta County.

Source: Wyoming Post Offices

 

A prosperous and growing town in the western part of Uinta County. Located in the beautiful Star Valley on the Salt River. Star Valley is about 30 miles long and 5 miles wide and has many of the characteristics of an earthly paradise. Afton is the largest of the eight towns located in this valley. The principal industries of the surrounding country are the manufacturing of creamery products and stock raising, with considerable farming. There is fine hunting and fishing in the Star Valley mountain range adjoining, where are found gold, silver, copper and coal. Afton has good water, good churches, a public school, a complete electric light plant, an extensive creamery ... and many beautiful homes. A daily stage connects with the Oregon Short Line railroad at Montpelier, Idaho, the nearest railroad point.

Source: Wyoming State Business Directory, 1910-11

 

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