Name: Shoshoni
County: Fremont
Authority Name:
GNIS Entry
Longitude: 1080637W
Latitude: 431409N
Legal Description:
Elevation: 4842/1476
(ft/m)
Feature Type: Populated Place
Origin of Name:
Shoshoni is named in honor of the Shoshone Indian tribe, whose reservation extends eastward from the crest of the continental divide to within one mile of the town limits. Many battles were fought with the Shoshone, as the Shoshone warred to oust the invaders and save their heritage. Many tribes contested with the Shoshone for its possession, but, under the strong leadership of Chief Washakie, their ancestral home was preserved. In 1906 Shoshoni was an infant and was experiencing a great boom-with all lots in the original town site sold, and buildings springing up right and left. Shoshoni was a fine, fairly nice sized town in its early days. But business depression hung over the place like a vulture, and destructive fires eventually wiped out many of the business buildings. The town has had no support except from surrounding sheep men.
Source: WPA
Shoshone, Fremont County, Wyoming was laid out in 1905 by the Pioneer Town Site Company. It was named from the Shoshone Indian tribe (Snakes), from their reservation and the Shoshone Mountains. The Shoshone tribe had its early home in Idaho and Oregon and the great central basin of the continent. The original meaning and derivation of the name is in doubt.
Source: Stennett
Other Names:
Alternative Spellings: Shoshone
History:
Shoshoni Post Office was established on October 28, 1905 with Robert H. Knittle as its first postmaster.
Source: Wyoming Post Offices
An important town in Fremont County, located at about the exact geographical center of the state, on the Chicago and Northwestern Railway and on the Kirby-Orin Junction extension of the Burlington, now under construction. One hundred miles from Casper and 50 miles from Lander. Supply point for a large portion of the recently opened Shoshone Reservation. it is surrounded on all sides by a rich stockraising country. Grain and hay are also raised in the vicinity. The logical shipping point for the Copper Mountain and Willow Creek mining districts, which are now producing considerable quantities of ore. Flowing oil springs within sixteen miles. Extensive coal deposits near town. Sixteen miles from the recently finished Boysen power dam in the Big Horn Canon ... . All different lines of business are well represented. Town incorporated May, 1906.
Source: Wyoming State Business Directory, 1910-11
An important town in Fremont County, on the Chicago and Northwestern Railway, 103 miles west of Casper and 45 miles northeast of Lander the county seat. Sixteen miles from the Boysen power dam in the Big Horn Canon, which generates 6,800 electrical horse power by water and is now transmitting power and light to Shoshoni and Riverton. Shoshoni is the transfer point for passengers to Bonneville, 3 miles north of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. Agriculture and stock raising are the principal industries. Population 600. Altitude 5,000 feet.
Source: Wyoming State Business Directory, 1922
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Maps:
1:24000 Quadrangle: Shoshoni
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