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.
Latest from Jackie Dorothy
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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 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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Before John Wayne, Wyoming's Tim McCoy Was America’s Favorite Western Star
Everyone in Wyoming knows John Wayne, the prototypical Western movie star. But before The Duke became The Duke, Wyoming's Tim McCoy was Hollywood’s favorite Western lead actor, even getting top billing over Wayne.
Jackie DorothyAugust 17, 2024
That’s Not Luck: Stunning Photo Of Yellowstone Geyser Took Months Of Planning
Photographer Larry Rogers loves shooting in Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks, and once spent 20 years waiting to get a perfect photo. He said it took him months of planning to build a composite image of Castle Geyser lit up at night.
Jackie DorothyAugust 17, 2024
Wyoming Rock Crawlers Get A Huge Adrenaline Rush At 2 MPH
Why go around a giant boulder in the road when you can just go over it? That’s rock crawling in a nutshell. And for Wyoming rock crawlers addicted to that adrenaline rush at 2 mph, the bigger the boulders the better.
Jackie DorothyAugust 11, 2024
Fire Crews Use High-Tech Drones To Keep Clearwater From Yellowstone Entrance
High-tech drones dropping incendiary “dragon eggs” are among the tools wildland firefighters are using to keep the Clearwater Fire in northwest Wyoming from closing the East Entrance to Yellowstone.
Jackie DorothyAugust 08, 2024
How An Important 1877 Soldier’s Diary Wound Up In A Wyoming Bank Vault
Maj. George “Sandy” Forsyth’s 1877 diary was on its way to the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., in 1960. But its owner decided it belongs in Wyoming where it was written, and it’s been in a Thermopolis bank vault for nearly 65 years.
Jackie DorothyAugust 08, 2024
Highway From Cody To Yellowstone Remains Open As Clearwater Fire Burns
Yellowstone tourists can still use the national park’s East Entrance despite a wildfire that continues to burn in the area. Several campgrounds and trails remain closed.
Jackie DorothyAugust 06, 2024
Keeping Yellowstone’s East Gate Open A Priority As Fire Burns Near East Entrance
The Clearwater fire has burned nearly 2,000 acres in some of the most rugged and remote terrain in northwest Wyoming. Keeping Yellowstone’s East Gate open among the top priorities for those fighting the blaze.
Jackie DorothyAugust 05, 2024
The Dirty Job Of Digging Up Wyoming History In Outhouses
Warren Borton has spent decades digging up old Wyoming outhouse pits. What he finds are sometimes rare and significant pieces of history. And bottles. Lots and lots of old glass bottles.
Jackie DorothyAugust 04, 2024
Dedication Will Remember Gebo’s Children, Forever Home In Wyoming Ghost Town Cemetery
A society that specializes in the absurd will get serious Saturday when it dedicates the Wyoming ghost town of Gebo. The former mining boom town is also the final resting place for many of Gebo’s children, who died during epidemics.
Jackie DorothyJuly 29, 2024
Longtime Wyoming Newsman Bill Sniffin Wins National Lifetime Achievement Award
Bill Sniffin, who’s spent more than 50 years producing Wyoming newspapers, has been honored by the National Newspaper Association with its lifetime achievement award. Sniffin is also a columnist for Cowboy State Daily.
Jackie DorothyJuly 27, 2024
With A World War Brewing, Wyoming Was Captivated By A Rogue Army Mule Named Gabriel
While nations built up their forces leading up to World War I, the exploits of an ornery mule named Gabriel captured Wyoming’s attention. A reporter with Gen. John. J. Pershing in Mexico spun and entertaining tale of how a stubborn mule brought the U.S. Army to a halt.
Jackie DorothyJuly 21, 2024
WYDOT Studying Ways to Bypass Wind River Canyon Byway
Wyoming transportation officials are studying alternative routes or detours around Wind River Canyon Byway because when there is inclement weather or a major traffic incident, waits can take hours and sometimes days.
Jackie DorothyJuly 17, 2024