Johnson County In Wyoming Was One Of The Most Dangerous Places In The Nation In The 1890s
Kim Magaraci
Author
Wyoming is one of the safest states in the nation today, but way back in the 1890s, it was a lawless place. Read about why Johnson County was a dangerous place to be back in the earliest days of statehood, and why it has a reputation for being the most dangerous county in Wyoming.
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These rules meant that most land was open range for grazing, and branding was used to identify who owned cattle. Stray calves were "first come, first serve". Water rights belonged to the first settlers of the land, and boundaries were respected. The wealthier ranch owners did not appreciate this cooperation and side-by-side industry growth. They saw competition and cattle rustling.
Because the Cattlemen's Association had money to influence politics, small time ranchers continually struggled with the new laws and rules, and often faced dire consequences. One cowgirl, Ella Watson, was hanged for cattle rustling, despite no proven charges. She became the first woman executed by hanging in America.
Between the Johnson County War, the tension on the plains, and outlaws hiding in every nook and cranny they could find, Johnson County was a lawless place in the late 1800s. Can you believe this tiny Wyoming county was considered one of the most dangerous places in the country?
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Most Dangerous County In Wyoming
Is it worth visiting Johnson County in Wyoming today?
Sure, it is! This is one of the best places in the country to see Wild West history. The Hoofprints of the Past museum covers outlaw history and tells the tale of the Johnson County War. The Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum showcases the life and work of the region's first pharmacist who became a vital part of the community. In Buffalo, a historic haunted hotel - the Occidental - is a great place to stay. At the Occidental, you'll find the Busy Bee Cafe serving breakfast dishes like their famous cinnamon roll french toast, and the Virginian Saloon serving up hearty, homestyle lunches and dinners. Before you leave Johnson County, Wyoming, be sure to check out the Hole-in-the-Wall in Kaycee. It's a famous outlaw hideout surrounded by stunning red cliffs and caves. Johnson County truly provides a peek back in time to the wild and unruly days of the Cowboy State.
Where are some other places one can see history in Wyoming, up close?
To see fascinating history in Wyoming in person, visit the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite. You'll find actual dinosaur footprints here, and you can walk along the paths they left. In Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel, you can sit at a bar that was gifted to Bill Cody by Queen Victoria herself! Of course, Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks are packed with history too - visit Mormon Row, the Chapel of the Transfiguration, and the Cunningham Cabin in Grand Teton for a taste of the past. In Yellowstone, Old Faithful Inn will transport you back in time. If you want to visit the oldest town in Wyoming, head east to Hartville. Dine at Miners and Stockmen's Saloon and you'll be dining in the oldest restaurant in the state! There are so many great places to take a glimpse of history in Wyoming.