The Meeteetse area is rich in history with the expansive Pitchfork Ranch, famous as one the west's true cattle empires. It was the first cattle ranching operation of the Big Horn Basin, established in 1879 by Otto Franc. By 1900, thousands of cattle grazed along the Greybull River and Wood River Valleys. Although first discovered on the John Hogg Ranch, the Pitchfork is also well known for the fact the last known colony of an endangered species thought to be extinct, the Black Footed Ferret, was found on its grasslands.
Noted outlaw Butch Cassidy lived in Meeteetse. In 1886, he signed a petition for the new bridge, and in 1894, he was arrested in front of the Cowboy Bar. Meeteetse is a town of Legends.
Forget Buffalo Bill, Butch Cassidy, Billy the Kid, and countless men and women of notoriety who helped define the mythology of the American West. Meeteetse had its own brand of mythmaker: Poker Nell, Bronco Nell, Laughing Smith, Swede Pete, Airplane Jerry, Greasy Bill, Checkbook Charlie, and Shorty the Crock to name a few. These were the characters of local lore, not the everyday hardworking people who believed in, and helped shape Meeteetse. As some dreams manifested and others were forgotten, the early settlers played out the hopes and promises of the West on the high plains of Meeteetse.
By 1906, the town had seven saloons, one store, two banks, and two hotels. There were several other bars scattered over the area. At the forks of the Greybull and Wood Rivers was a popular bar called the "Bucket of Blood." The town had a reputation as a "wild and woolly" town until fairly recently. For the first time churches now outnumber saloons.
In 1912, Josh Deane who homesteaded on the Wood river and had a Post Office there, started the Labor Day Celebration.
The town has several motels, bed & breakfast and mountain lodges offering accomodations in which to stay and a remarkable variety of dining establishments. All are heavy on local character and feature cowboy and western style decor.
Summer events include the Art Festival, Kirwin Excursion (an abandoned gold, silver and copper mining town) and Labor Day Celebration, as well as fishing, hunting, wind surfing, water skiing and boating.
The Wood River Valley Ski Touring Park located just 22 miles southwest of Meeteetse offers the touring enthusiast to be a part of a spectacular mountain area in the Shoshone National Forest. There are over 25k of groomed trails, ranging from the scenic and gentle South Fork Trail to the thrilling Brown Creek Trail. The magnificent beauty you will discover while skiing Aspen Creek Trail will bring you back many times to experience winter's splendor at its best.
The ski touring park is open for use seven days a week. There is no fee, but donations are appreciated to help with the maintenance of the trails. Skiing Wood River Valley affords unique opportunities to photograph and view the wildlife, including deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain lions. Although hibernating in the winter months, this is also bear country which includes black bear and grizzly bear.
Meeteetse offers a host of other winter activities including ice fishing, snowmobiling (snow conditions permitting), sight seeing, excellent photographic opportunities and an opportunity to relax at any of our local establishments for quiet dinner and some spirits. Evenings can get quite exciting at times.
Christmas in Meeteetse is scheduled for the first Sunday in December, which includes a craft fair, hay rides, Santa's Workshop, concert and lighted parade as well as specials and complementary baked goodies all day at the cafes and bars.
For more information
contact Meeteetse Tourist Information
Center,
P.O. Box 238
2005 Warren St..
Meeteetse, WY, 82433,
or call 307-868-2454.