The Worland Story

As with so many other small Wyoming towns, Worland history is strongly bound to the railroad, ranching and Indians. Named after Charlie "Dad" Worland, a stage station manager on the the old Bridger Trail, the town of some 6000 residents is situated at the base of the majestic Bighorn Mountains in north central Wyoming.

It has it's roots as a small settlement of about 100 early settlers called Camp Worland. Plans for an irrigation project through the area were made. Part of these plans included using the camp as the base for the project and it's workers. Consequently the irrigation scheme was completed and the settlement grew.

The recently completed railroad west passed through the area on the east bank of the Bighorn River. As the settlement lay on the west bank, plans were made to move it, lock stock and barrel, across the the river to make use of the services a railroad head would provide. Moving during the winter when the river was frozen over made good sense, so all of Worland's residents just slid their possessions across the ice. The decision to move was a beneficial one as the town prospered and in 1904 Camp Worland became officially incorporated as Worland on it's present day site.

As the area became settled and pioneers turned the Wyoming prairie in to ranches and farms. Both Worland, and nearby Ten Sleep, were involved in some very bitter range wars. Well documented conflicts between the cattle and sheep ranchers culminated in a fierce battle known as the Spring Creek raid of 1909. Two sheep herders, and their 5000 sheep, were attacked by masked gunmen resulting in their deaths and many of the flock slaughtered. Many blamed local cattle ranchers who resented the intrusion of sheep into what had historically been cattle country. Unease continued between the two ranching groups for many years.

Conflicts with local Indian tribes have also colored the history of this area. The Bates Battlefield, 37 miles southeast of Worland, saw the bloody battle between Company B of the US Cavalry , supported by friendly Shoshoni Indians, against the unfriendly Arapahoes. July 1 - 4, 1874 saw a short, but bloody, skirmish take the lives of many of the Arapahoes. Two years later this defeat was ultimately to lead to revenge against the white men in the historic Battle of the Bighorn in 1876.

Today Worland is a pretty, western city, full of history, fun things to do and a great place to stay. It still relies on ranching for it's very existance but now tourism gives a strong boost to the local economy.