Writer

Jackie Dorothy

Jackie Dorothy is a reporter for Cowboy State Daily based in central Wyoming.

Over the past 20 years, Jackie has worked in television, radio and print across Wyoming. In this role, she has won numerous writing and history awards including the Wyoming Governor’s Journalist of the Year and SBA Journalist of the Year.

Jackie is also the podcast host of ‘Pioneers of Outlaw Country’ that explores little known historical stories of Wyoming with entertaining narrative.

Follow Jackie Dorothy

Latest from Jackie Dorothy

The Wyoming Department of Transporation will place memorial signs for families of loved ones who died in crashes on state highways. They're a compromise to discourage illegal and potentially dangerous private memorials.

Reader Question: What Are Those Broken Heart Signs Along Wyoming Highways?

A Cowboy State Daily reader asked us about those white and red signs on the highway that feature a broken heart and a dove. They act as memorials for families in honor of their loved ones who lost their lives in traffic crashes on state and federal highways and interstates.

Jackie DorothyOctober 13, 2024

Fate magazine in 1948 published a story about the Wyoming Death Ship that was seen at least three times on the North Platte River in Wyoming as far back as 1862.

Haunted Wyoming: The Ghost Ship Of The North Platte

One of the more intriguing ghost stories in Wyoming is a ghost ship that appeared infrequently on the North Platte River in in 1862, 1887 and 1903. Each time it was spotted, it brought death with it for the people who saw it.

Jackie DorothyOctober 13, 2024

Haunted Wyoming: Chugwater Restaurant Serves People Decades After Burning Down

Caught in a blizzard, three people sought shelter at a restaurant off the interstate in Chugwater, Wyoming. They ate steak waiting out the storm, only to learn later the restaurant burned down decades ago — and their waitresses died in the fire.

Jackie DorothyOctober 13, 2024

The clown room is often cited as one of the scariest rooms to survive at the Shoshoni Haunted House, especially when a ghoul peeks around the corner, or is it “just” the Book Witch?

Inside Shoshoni's Haunted House: It Takes A Year To Build And Is Straight-Up Scary

The folks in Shoshoni, Wyoming, take Halloween seriously. Any doubt of that will be erased by a visit to its annual haunted house, which takes a year to build and is housed in an abandoned bowling alley which was closed nearly 40 years ago.

Jackie DorothyOctober 12, 2024

Jim Miller arrives to the Wyoming Sugar Co. in Worland with his last sugar beet delivery of the day. By 10 a.m., the weather was too warm to haul more beets. If the piles get to warm, the sugar beets will spoil so ventilators are placed in several mountains of the sugar beets to push air into the depths of the piles.

Wyoming Grower Expects To Bring In 525,000 Tons Of Super-Sweet Sugar Beets

It’s harvest time for Wyoming’s sugar beet growers, and it looks like they’ve had a good season. For Worland-area grower Jim Miller, it’s been a good year. He expect to bring in about 525,000 tons of super-sweet sugar beets.

Jackie DorothyOctober 12, 2024

Portrait of wildlands advocate Margaret Murie.

How Mardy Murie, Wyoming’s Grandmother Of Conservation, Inspired The Wilderness Act

From Alaska to Wyoming, Margaret “Mardy” Murie and her family were advocates for keeping the wilderness wild. Known as the Grandmother of Conservation, she and husband Olaus helped inspire the Wilderness Act.

Jackie DorothyOctober 06, 2024

Lesleigh Ann Schaefer has highlighted the roads she has traveled during her 80,000-mile road trip around Wyoming.

80,000 Miles And Thousands Of Photos, She Explores Wyoming For Those Who Can’t

Lesleigh Ann Shaefer of Thermopolis has traveled more than 80,000 miles and taken thousands of photos as she drives around the Cowboy State. She says she explores Wyoming for those who can’t.

Jackie DorothyOctober 06, 2024

The Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park.

Haunted Wyoming: The Headless Bride Of Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn

A teen bride murdered and decapitated at Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn in 1914 is said to still haunt the historic hotel. People tell of seeing her ghostly apparition walking to the crow’s nest — carrying her own head in her arms.

Jackie DorothyOctober 06, 2024

In 1940, a family digging a root cellar near Badwater Creek in Fremont County, Wyoming, discovered a human skeleton and awakened something that wailed at them from beneath the earth.

Haunted Wyoming: The Wailing Skeleton Of Badwater Creek

In October 1940, the Lichty family discovered a skeleton on their property near the Badwater Creek in Fremont County. Their troubles were only beginning…

Jackie DorothyOctober 05, 2024

The tunnels in the Wind River Canyon's scenic byway.

Yellowstone Highway At 100: Wyoming’s $1 Million Gamble That Paid Off Big

It’s been 100 years since the Yellowstone Highway was blasted through a rugged, unforgiving Wind River Canyon. At $1 million, it was the most expensive stretch of road ever built in the U.S., and a gamble that paid off big for Wyoming.

Jackie DorothyOctober 05, 2024

Juan Laden of Lander, Wyoming, surveying a cave with a team in Mexico.

Wyoming Caver Has Spent 50 Years Exploring World’s Deepest, Darkest Places

It takes a certain kind of person to not only tolerate being in caves, but love it. Juan Laden of Lander is one, having spent 50 years exploring the world’s deepest, darkest places from Antarctica to Ukraine to New Zealand.

Jackie DorothySeptember 29, 2024

The Sacajawea Well was accidently drilled in 1918 when the owner was searching for black oil. Although disappointed, he made the best of the situation and eventually sold his hot water well to Hot Springs County for a poor farm.

Once A Showstopper, Thermopolis Hot Springs RV Park Being Restored

The owner of the iconic Fountain of Youth RV hot springs park in Thermopolis, Wyoming, was just a girl when she visited during its heyday decades ago. It was a showstopper park for travelers, and now she and her family are restoring it.

Jackie DorothySeptember 28, 2024

Other Authors

Abandoned tunnel in the Boysen State Park that the railroad refused to build higher. This resulted in decades of court battles against Asmus Boysen to demolish his dam in the Wind River Canyon. It's now crumbling.

Boysen State Park’s Abandoned Tunnel Is Last Reminder Of Fierce Railroad Fight

A crumbling abandoned tunnel in Boysen State Park is all that’s left of one man's fierce fight with the railroad in the early 1900s. It’s the last reminder a failed gold rush and a showdown with the railroad for ownership of Wyoming’s Wind River Canyon.

Jackie DorothySeptember 28, 2024

Kodiak, Don Dechert’s Malamute, inspects the “family suite” that can house three large dogs from the same family.

Riverton Kennel Has TVs For Dogs, And They Love “Little House On The Prairie”

Muddy Creek K9z in Riverton, Wyoming, isn’t a typical boarding house for dogs. It pampers pooches, including TVs in each of their kennels. And they love “Little House on the Prairie.”

Jackie DorothySeptember 28, 2024

Thermopolis Middle School Assembly, 187 students strong, pose during the announcement of their school being honored as a Blue Ribbon School.

Three Wyoming Schools Named Among Nation’s Elite Blue Ribbon Schools

Wyoming schools in Powell, Sheridan and Thermopolis have been named among the nation’s elite Blue Ribbon schools for 2024. They’re among the 356 nationwide recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Jackie DorothySeptember 24, 2024

In 2019, Al Hubbard, right, was still dreaming of pursuing his artwork full-time and it wasn’t until 2023 that a personal tragedy propelled him to concentrate on his art career.

Wyoming’s Al Hubbard Defining New Past-Modern American Indian Art Movement

Wyoming’s Al Hubbard is an Arapaho and Navajo artist who’s defining a new past-modern art movement. His blend of tradition with contemporary life captures the soul of his culture while inspiring Native American youth.

Jackie DorothySeptember 22, 2024

Sheridan mountaineer Darren Rogers, right, with a sherpa while on an expedition to summit K2 in late July 2024.

Sheridan Mountaineer Trains 2 Years For “Pretty Intense” 30 Minutes Atop K2

Sheridan, Wyoming, mountaineer Darren Rogers planned and trained for more than two years to climb to the top of K2. Once there, he spent a “pretty intense” 30 minutes atop the mountain considered the most dangerous to climb in the world.

Jackie DorothySeptember 22, 2024

Wood Week on Craig Johnson's ranch is a lot of hard work, but it's also fun and lubricated with lots of Rainier Beer (and maybe a touch of something stronger).

“Wood Week” On Author Craig Johnson's Ranch — Hard Work And Lots Of Rainier Beer

Longmire author Craig Johnson makes a celebration of putting up a dozen cords of wood on his Wyoming ranch each fall. It’s called “Wood Week,” and it’s full of hard work and lots of Rainier Beer.

Jackie DorothySeptember 22, 2024

A 405-pound monster dead lift, a personal record for Porshia Birdsley at the Official Strongman Games Southwest Regional.

Meet Porshia Birdsley, The Wyoming “Girlie Girl” Who Deadlifts Over 400 Pounds

Porshia Birdsley describes herself as a “girlie girl” who just qualified to compete in the Official World Strongman Competition in December. She carries a fire hydrant around Thermopolis, Wyoming, to train and deadlifts over 400 pounds.

Jackie DorothySeptember 22, 2024

Wyoming History: Tubb Town, The Rowdiest Town In Wyoming Territory

A few miles east of Newcastle along the banks of the Salt Creek was once a roaring Wild West frontier settlement known as Tubb Town. Here, saloons, dance halls and brothels far outnumbered all other types of businesses. The town had a rough reputation, even by Wild West standards.

Jackie DorothySeptember 21, 2024

Shannon Watts found his art which is sold at Hobby Lobby’s across America.

Riverton Man’s El Camino Sketch Launched Renowned Auto Art Career

Riverton's Shannon Watts didn’t intend to make a career out of drawing cars. But his sketch of a 1964 El Camino turned his life upside down. Now he sells over 400 of his designs in car shows across the country and his metal signs are being sold in Hobby Lobby Stores and other big box stores.

Jackie DorothySeptember 14, 2024

Wyoming's is one of the newsest, and most remote, of America's Backcountry Discovery Routes.

Wyoming’s Backcountry Discovery Route: 1,900 Miles In 12 Days On Motorcycles

The Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route is one of the most remote — and breathtaking — endurance motorcycle rides anywhere. It’s 1,900 miles in 12 days on mostly two-track paths from the Colorado to Montana border.

Jackie DorothySeptember 14, 2024

Warm Springs Fire Remains Uncontained, But Not Threatening Thermopolis For Now

The Warm Springs Fire burning about 5 miles southeast of Thermopolis remains uncontained. But with the Bighorn River between them, the town remains safe for now.

Jackie DorothySeptember 11, 2024

Warm Springs Fire from about half a mile away as fire crews set up near the fire line.

Air Tankers Target Uncontained 1,600-Acre Wildfire 5 Miles From Thermopolis

A wildfire started by an intense Monday afternoon thunderstorm has grown to more than 1,600 acres about 5 miles southeast of Thermopolis. Air tankers are targeting the uncontained Warm Springs Fire.

Jackie DorothySeptember 10, 2024

The Beutler and Son Rodeo Co. in Elk City, Oklahoma, has been raising bucking rodeo horses for 95 years. This past week, nearly 80 of the ranch's horses were killed by poisoned feed.

Nearly 80 Bucking Horses Killed By Tainted Feed Devastates Rodeo Community

A batch of tainted feed killed nearly 80 premier bucking horses on the Beutler Ranch in Oklahoma last week and has devastated the greater rodeo community. The only surviving horse of that lineage was recently ridden to victory by Roedy Farrell of Thermopolis.

Jackie DorothySeptember 07, 2024

Chris Mickey was able to take the photo of the World View Enterprise balloon as it hovered over Cheyenne on Thursday night, Sept. 5, 2024.

Mysterious Object Flying Over Cheyenne Was Not A Chinese Spy Balloon

A mysterious balloon spotting floating high over Cheyenne on Thursday wasn’t a Chinese spy balloon. Turns out, it’s carrying data-gathering equipment to improve flight safety for a private company’s partnership with NASA.

Jackie DorothySeptember 06, 2024

Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site nature trail leads through the park and is an opportunity for wildlife viewing.

Ancient Rock Art, Artifact Digs Make Medicine Lodge A Premiere Wyoming Destination

Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site boasts 2,000-year-old rock art and important artifact digs. It’s a premiere Wyoming destination for history buffs and recreation.

Jackie DorothySeptember 02, 2024

Cowboy Poet Jack Schmidt cooking in the Bridger-Teton Wilderness.

In Riverton, Jack Schmidt Continues Western Tradition Of The Cowboy Poet

The oral history of the cowboy is preserved forever in rhyme by cow wranglers and campfire tales. For the past 50 years, Riverton's Jack Schmidt has kept the cowboy poet alive in Wyoming.

Jackie DorothySeptember 02, 2024

Devil's Canyon crew hikes up a hill while fighting the South Fork Lyons Fire in Montana.

Wherever Wildfires Blaze You’ll Find Wyoming's Elite Devil’s Canyon Crew

Wherever wildfires rage across North America, you’ll find the elite Devil’s Canyon hand crew from Worland, Wyoming. The team is made up exclusively of military veterans and are often air-dropped from helicopters into some of the most remote regions in the country.

Jackie DorothySeptember 01, 2024

This Is Hyattville, Wyoming: Population 79, “Probably Counting Some Dogs”

Founded in 1887, Hyattville, Wyoming, was an important crossroads for commerce. Now it’s a tiny town of 79, which one local says is “probably counting some dogs.”

Jackie DorothySeptember 01, 2024

Bill Van Den Ouden sits at the Safari Club bar with his friend, John Cordova. He and his wife, Maria Van Den Ouden, had come back to visit Thermopolis specifically to show their family friend the large taxidermy collection that they first saw with their kids over two decades prior.

Thermopolis Safari Club’s World-Class Big Game Trophy Collection Needs A New Home

The Safari Club in Thermopolis is well-known for the big game trophies from around the world. Most were hunted by the late Jim Mills, who hunted and fished for 80 years. But after selling their share of the business two years ago, his family wants a buyer who will keep the world-class collection intact.

Jackie DorothySeptember 01, 2024

Ham operator Casey Freund makes a handshake, slang for making a quick contact, to another park across the nation.

Ham Radio Still Alive And Kicking In Wyoming

Casey Freund of Thermopolis, Wyoming, goes by the call sign KC7E, but that’s not his TikTok handle. He’s one of the few who don’t need Wi-Fi or smartphones to keep in touch with civilization. He’s a ham radio operator.

Jackie DorothyAugust 25, 2024

West View of the log blacksmith shop is believed to have been built as early as the 1860s on the Hart Ranch. The Albany County Historical Society is looking into the best way to preserve the structure.

Laramie Bought Hart Ranch For Its Water, Now It Wants To Save The Rest Of It

The city of Laramie bought the historic Hart Ranch for its 1860s water rights. Now, the city is working out how to save the rest of the historic Wyoming ranch for future generations.

Jackie DorothyAugust 24, 2024

Ranchers and construction workers are helping build fire lines around the huge House Draw Fire in Johnson County.

Construction Crews, Ranchers With Weed Sprayers Battle Huge Wyoming Fires

With aggressive wildfires having already burned 250,000 acres across northern Wyoming, it’s all hands on deck. In addition to firefighters, construction crews with bulldozers and ranchers with weed sprayers are also on the fire lines.

Clair McFarland & Jackie DorothyAugust 23, 2024

Smoke billows up from the Fish Creek Fire in northwest Wyoming.

Fish Creek Fire Grows 800 Acres In Northwest Wyoming, Remains 0% Contained

A wildfire in rugged terrain near Togwottee Pass in northwest Wyoming grew 800 acres Tuesday and remains 0% contained. The fire was started by a lightning strike Friday.

Jackie DorothyAugust 20, 2024

The Fish Creek Fire has burned more than 1,700 acres as of Monday afternoon and is 0% contained. It's burning in the Bridger-Teton Naitonal Forest about 7 miles southwest of Togwotee Pass.

Uncontained Wildfire Putting Out Plumes Of Smoke In Northwest Wyoming

Started by lightning Friday, the Fish Creek Fire has burned more than 2,500 acres in the Bridger-Teton National Forest and is 0% contained. It, and a few other fires in the area, are putting out plumes of smoke.

Jackie DorothyAugust 19, 2024

The GC initials on this hill are still kept whitewashed in Grass Creek.

Wyoming Oil Fields Gave Rise To A New Western Outlaw — The Claim-Jumper

The discovery of oil in remote Wyoming sparked a flood of fortune-seekers to the Cowboy State. It also gave rise to a new kind of Western outlaw — the claim-jumper.

Jackie DorothyAugust 18, 2024

Inga Arvad was romantically involved with a young John F. Kennedy, was pursued by Adolf Hitler and ended up married to a Western movie star from Wyoming.

How Hitler’s “Nordic Beauty” And JFK's Love Became The Wife Of A Wyoming Movie Star

Inga Arvad had been adored by Adolf Hitler, loved by President John F. Kennedy and pursued by the FBI. She ended up marrying a Western movie star from Wyoming.

Jackie DorothyAugust 18, 2024

Blacksmith David Osmundsen gives a presentation about blacksmithing at the Wyoming Discovery Days.

Wyoming Blacksmith An Artist With A 3,500-Degree Forge And Hammer

Buffalo's David Osmundsen is an artist with a hammer and a 3,500-degree forge. The Wyoming blacksmith attracts students from all over the world to his Arrowhead Forge School of Blacksmithing where he teaches the ancient practice.

Jackie DorothyAugust 18, 2024