The most interesting attraction of the Homesteader’s Museum is the museum building—it is truly a show piece in itself. The Union Pacific Depot was built in 1925 and opened its doors to both passengers and freight service to the world at that time. It is one of two “Spanish” style depots remaining in the North Platte valley.

The museum is actually a complex of buildings and exhibits. Here one can experience “homestead life” as was lived on the barren prairies of Southeastern Wyoming in Goshen County.

The Trout Homestead Shack was built in 1910 by Ben Trout. It is 12’7” X 12’8” and was occupied by the family for 12 years. It was located north of present day Hawk Springs Reservoir in southern Goshen County.

The Yoder Family Memorial Home houses hundreds of items from the old 4A Ranch (Yoder) which was established in 1882 by Phillip and Cinderella Yoder and their seven children. This ranch was located on Bear Creek, west of the town site of LaGrange, Wyoming. The Yoder children were involved in ranching, banking, politics and rodeo.

The Midway School House was built in 1928 and closed in 1949. This building is one of the last of its kind remaining in Goshen County.

Enjoy the saddles and rodeo memorbilia of Carl Sawyer. See the F. A. Meanea saddles of Odessa Dearing and Eunice Cameron Everling. Also see the veterinary medical equipment of ‘Doc’ Fuller, early homestead veterinarian. Visit the Union Pacific Caboose Gallery of railroad photographs and railroad memoribilia. Both Union Pacific and burlington Northern items are on display. Both railroads run through Torrington.

See the Knowlton family’s International Harvester Auto-Buggy which was brought to Goshen County in 1908. This was the first car in the area at that time. ‘Wil’ Knowlton, first elected County Assessor, used the car to travel the new county (1913) as he assessed homesteaders in the area. The car was acclaimed the best ‘hill climber’ of its time.

Enjoy fashions and costumes from the late 1890s through 1945. See how style changes in women’s clothes foretold the changes in social and political issues of the period.

Browse the Merrill and Marie Potter Collection of early Plains Indians arrowheads, knives, scrapers, drill, hammerheads and more. Approximately 11,000 plus pieces collected when walking the plains of Goshen, Platte and Niobrara Counties.

The museum is open year round. Call for hours.

Reprinted from museum brochure.