Founded by Mormon apostles Francis M. W. Lyman and Owen Woodruff, the town was originally named Owen, and later changed to Lyman. Fort Supply was once nearby. Although the railroad did not come here, Lyman made its way by means of canal construction and agriculture. For a while, the University of Wyoming ran an agricultural experiment station from Lyman. Today, it houses many of the Bridger Valley’s businesses, as well as several city and county offices.