Name: Ten Sleep

 

County: Washakie

 

Authority Name: Ten Sleep (Wyo.)

 

GNIS Entry

 

Longitude:  1072704W

Latitude: 440203N

 

Legal Description:

 

Elevation: 4426/1349(ft/m)

 

Feature Type: Populated Place

 

Origin of Name:

During the early days when the Indians roamed this country, they would hunt in this region. They would come from miles around to hunt their winter’s supply of meat, bringing the whole tribe along to help take care of the meat after it was dressed. The region around what is now Ten Sleep was noted for the various animals that the Indians liked to hunt and even numerous herds of deer and elk. Ten Sleep meant ten days of travel, or “ten sleeps”, ten nights of sleep. The point was an equal distance from the home of the Crows, Lodge Grass, Montana, and of the home of the Shoshone, Fort Washakie, Wyoming. 

Source: WPA

 

The name "Tensleep" means ten sleeps from either the Platte or Yellowstone and refers to ten days travel by the Indians.

Source: Annals 15(1)

 

Other Names: 

 

Alternative Spellings: Tensleep

 

History:

Ten Sleep Post Office was established as Tensleep Post Office on December 18, 1891 in Big Horn County, prior to the formation of Washakie County. Albert S. Austin was the first postmaster. In November, 1905, its name was changed to Ten Sleep.

Source: Wyoming Post Offices

 

Small postoffice in Big Horn County, 38 miles southeast from Basin. Stockraising the leading industry.

Source: Wyoming State Business Directory, 1910-11 

 

Small postoffice in Washakie County, 28 miles east of Worland, the county seat. Stock raising the leading industry. Population 300.

Source: Wyoming State Business Directory, 1922

 

Stories:

 

Maps:

1:24000 Quadrangle: Ten Sleep

 

Newspapers:

 

More Information:

 

Pictures: