Wyoming Life | Cowboy State Daily

Rural Cheyenne Residents Fed Up With Drivers Taking Out Their Mailboxes

When drivers kept taking out her mailbox and leaving without so much as an “I’m sorry” note, a rural Cheyenne woman took her complaint public. Turns out others in her neighborhood are also fed up with drivers plowing into their mailboxes.

Renée JeanOctober 21, 2025

Historian Says She's Traced Wyatt Earp’s First Gunfight To Orin, Wyoming

A Wild West historian says she uncovered evidence in a family diary suggesting Wyatt Earp’s first gunfight happened near Orin, Wyoming, not Illinois. That could reshape Earp's early legend and add a new chapter to Wyoming’s Wild West legacy.

Renée JeanOctober 21, 2025

A Rock Springs inventor’s panoramic Cirkit camera revolutionized photography in 1905. His innovative technology enabled wide-sweeping images and changed how large groups and landscapes were photographed.

Wyoming History: Rock Springs Inventor’s Panoramic Camera Changed Photography Forever

A Rock Springs inventor’s panoramic camera revolutionized photography in 1905. He developed a camera that swiveled with a motor to take panoramic photos. It changed photography forever.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 19, 2025

Christine Castillo is sharing her love of ice skating with her students in Cody, Wyoming. This joy she brings to the young figure skaters is the same joy that her grandfather brought to the community of the Heart Mountain Relocation Center when he built them an ice-skating rink.

Cody Woman Teaches Ice Skating Decades After Grandfather Built Heart Mountain Rink

Christine Castillo's grandfather was one of about 14,000 Japanese Americans relocated to the Heart Mountain internment center, where he shared his love for ice skating by building a sheet of ice for the camp. Now, decades later, she coaches ice skating in Cody.

Jackie DorothyOctober 19, 2025

Ellen Watson, dubbed “Cattle Kate” by her enemies and some in the press, was hanged from this Limber Pine in 1889. Her death was never avenged and there are those that believe her spirit still haunts the tree.

Ghostly Wyoming: Haunted Trees Hold Echoes of Violence From Murders Beneath Their Branches

Chilling accounts of frightened hounds and blood-streaked apples have been reported around Wyoming hanging trees and spots where people were lynched — either by the law or vigilantes. Some say the trees are haunted by the murders beneath their branches.

Jackie DorothyOctober 19, 2025

The historic Lander Bar was a saloon when it first openend in 1907, and has also been a brothel and hotel before operating as a dive bar for years. Then a ski patrolman and two buddies stopped in for a beer, and decided to buy and restore the place.

Drinking Wyoming: The Drinks At Lander Bar Come With A Taste Of Western History

The historic Lander Bar was a saloon when it first opened in 1907, and has also been a brothel and hotel before operating as a popular hangout for years. In the 1990s, a ski patrolman stopped in for a beer, and with two buddies decided to buy and restore the place.

Renée JeanOctober 19, 2025

An heiress to the Doubleday publishing family left a privileged high-society life for the rugged and untamed wide open spaces of Wyoming. That’s where she lived “North of Crazy” and fueled an art renaissance that’s still growing even after her 2021 death.

North Of Crazy: How A Publishing Heiress Fueled A Wyoming Art Renaissance

An heiress to the Doubleday publishing family escaped her privileged - but abusive - high-society life for the wilderness of Wyoming. That’s where she fueled an art renaissance that’s still growing even after her 2021 death and published her memoir "North of Crazy."

Wendy CorrOctober 19, 2025

Wright At 50: A Half-Century For The Wyoming Town That Coal Built

As one of Wyoming's youngest towns, Wright is celebrating its 50th year in existence this year. It may have started as a camp for workers at nearby coal mines, but Wright has grown into its own.

Renée JeanOctober 18, 2025

Haunted Wyoming: The Ghostly Legends That Haunt Cheyenne’s Historic Train Depot

Employees of Cheyenne's train depot were absolutely convinced the building was haunted after a series of supernatural events. A newspaper reporter investigated for the structure for six months and, he too, came away certain spirits were there, especially at the "witching hour."

Jackie DorothyOctober 18, 2025

Cheyenne Barber's Turnaround Takes Him From Prison To Being A 'Real Person'

Gilbert Lucas easily chats with clients and isn't shy about sharing his story. It's one the Cheyenne barber said he doesn't believe himself at times, because it chronicles how he "went from being in prison to being a 'real' person."

Jackson WalkerOctober 18, 2025

Gillette’s beloved goat Diablo has become a social media sensation, charming thousands with his independence and quirky antics. Locals say the French fry-loving “goatalope” embodies the free spirit of Campbell County.

Diablo The ‘Goatalope’ Is Gillette’s Unlikely Local Legend And Social Media Star

Gillette’s beloved goat Diablo has become a social media sensation, charming thousands with her independence and quirky antics. Locals say the French fry-loving “goatalope” embodies the free spirit of Campbell County.

Scott SchwebkeOctober 18, 2025

South Pass City’s Chilling 1875 Murder Still Haunts Wyoming With Unsolved Secrets

South Pass City was rocked by the mysterious 1875 killing of George McOmie, a crime never solved. Decades later, ghost stories and unanswered questions still haunt the old Wyoming gold town. Modern day sleuths tried (and failed) to solve the mystery last weekend.

Renée JeanOctober 12, 2025

Discovery Channel's “Ghost Adventures” Looks For Casper’s Haunted Underbelly In Season Premier

The ghost hunters in Discovery Channel's “Ghost Adventures,” says Casper is a supernatural hotspot. A crew of 17 spent six days exploring ghosts, witches, and aliens in Casper for the season premiere of the show which debuts on October 15.

Renée JeanOctober 12, 2025

Fans can hardly wait for the sequel to Taylor Sheridan’s "Wind River," a 2017 triller set in Wyoming's remote Wind River Range. That’s making the first movie trend again on Netflix, although Wyomingites might struggle with inaccuracies in the movie.Fans can hardly wait for the sequel to Taylor Sheridan’s "Wind River," a 2017 triller set in Wyoming's remote Wind River Range. That’s making the first movie trend again on Netflix, although Wyomingites might struggle with inaccuracies in the movie.

Taylor Sheridan's “Wind River” A Top Pick On Netflix Again As Fans Await Sequel

It appears fans are anxiously awaiting the sequel to Taylor Sheridan’s "Wind River," a 2017 thriller set in Wyoming's Wind River Range. That’s making the first movie one of the most-watched on Netflix again, although Wyomingites might struggle with the many inaccuracies

Renée JeanOctober 12, 2025

Wyoming History: The Wall Of Water That Devastated Wheatland Ranches In 1969

In 1969, a wall of water flowed out of Wheatland Irrigation District’s Reservoir No. 1, devastating ranches and farmland for miles. Some thought the cause was dynamite, others a natural event. The real answer remains a mystery.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 12, 2025

Colorado Rockies announcer Jerry Schemmel saved an 11-month-old baby girl and survived one of the most gruesome plane crashes in American history 36 yearw ago. But sometimes surviving can feel worse than death.

Rockies Announcer Jerry Schemmel Shares How Plane Crash Changed His Life

After surviving United Flight 232, which killed 112 people in 1989, Jerry Schemmel went back in the wreckage to save an 11-month-old baby girl. Years later, wracked by survivor's guilt, he did something he'd never done before: he said a prayer.

Zakary SonntagOctober 12, 2025

Wyoming Ballerina Needed Nerves Of Steel To Attend Boot Camp And Pursue Dreams

Thermopolis teen Skylar Lippincott overcame rejection and grueling challenges to earn a coveted spot at Ballet Chicago. “You have to work hard all the time and learn to ignore pain,” Lippincott said. “Ballet is a lifestyle.”

Jackie DorothyOctober 12, 2025

Frank McGovern, the son of a wealthy Eastern family, came to the gold fields to seek his own wealth. Instead, he spent the time at saloons such as the Exchange Saloon in South Pass City, and spent an estimated one million dollars in gold in less than three years in the late 1860s.

Wyoming History: Frank McGovern Squanders Fortune in Wyoming’s Sweetwater District

Educated Chicagoan Frank McGovern found the legendary Miners Delight mine, then lost over a million dollars to gambling, drinking, and violence, leaving behind a legacy of squandered wealth and scandal in South Pass City.

Jackie DorothyOctober 11, 2025

Hollywood Actress to Bring Big-Screen Christmas Film Production Home to Wyoming

Wyoming native and Hollywood actress Hannah Barefoot is planning to produce and film her original movie “Wyoming Christmas Carol” in her hometown of Cody. Barefoot has 72 TV and movie credits including many Lifetime and Hallmark movies.

Wendy CorrOctober 11, 2025

The Fountain Hotel with Leather Pool in the foreground and the hot water pipe visible in the meadow.

A Missing Heir And Mysterious Bell Haunted The Fountain Hotel In Yellowstone

A missing heir of a millionaire, disappearing motorists and a mysterious bell ringing for service in an empty room were some of the mysteries shrouding the Fountain Hotel in Yellowstone. Park rangers and guests were pleased when the luxury hotel was torn down in 1926, taking with it its ghosts.

Jackie DorothyOctober 11, 2025

Current members of the Midwest Oilers football team along with squad alumni posed for a photo together at halftime.

Midwest, Wyoming, Celebrates 100 Years Of Friday Night Lights

When the Midwest Oilers took the field Friday night, they celebrated the 100th anniversary of the nation's first high school football game under electric lights, which happened right here in Midwest, Wyoming. A game ball from 1925 was brought out for a special halftime ceremony.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 11, 2025

Otto the Slobbering Bear on the Jesse Hall dormitory at the University of Montana. Inset: Otto appears on the football helmets

Montana's Forgotten ‘Slobbering Bear’ College Mascot Gets His Helmet Debut

The University of Montana is reviving its quirky 1970s basketball mascot, Otto the Slobbering Bear, with a helmet debut for homecoming. The throwback design honors UM’s 1995 football title and has sparked mixed reactions online including some who call it a "meth bear."

David MadisonOctober 11, 2025

If You Get Lost At Ellis' Harvest Home Corn Maze In Lingle, They Send Out A Drone

Ellis’ Harvest Home in Lingle, Wyoming, is recognized as the state's oldest corn maze. Ugly pumpkins and caramel-apple nachos aren't the only cozy peculiarities there. Sometimes, Dan and Cheryl Ellis will deploy a drone to help lost visitors through the labyrinth.

Jackson WalkerOctober 10, 2025

Lake Sonnicant and Cleft Peaks in Wyoming (Dave Bell). Inset photo: Fred Ramsdell.

Nobel Prize Winner Misses Big News While Off-The-Grid in The Wyoming Wilderness

The world was calling Fred Ramsdell to tell the California researcher that he’d won a Nobel Prize. He was blissfully unaware, backpacking at 8,000 feet in the Wyoming mountains, until he discovered a flood of messages.

Renée JeanOctober 10, 2025